The team have started preparations for the Spanish Super Cup

After winning the UEFA Super Cup in Skopie (Macedonia), the team returned to training at Real Madrid City as they prepare for the next challenge: The Spanish Super Cup. With the team focussed on Sunday's clash with Barcelona (10:00pm CEST), Zinedine Zidane led an intense session which saw Achraf and Luca from Castilla, train with the first team.

The players carried out an intense warm up before carrying out several possession and ball control exercises. The session ended with a game

 on a reduced size pitch.

Photo day for the squad

Thursday was photo day for FC Barcelona’s first team players. After training, Ernesto Valverde’s squad had their pictures snapped in a shoot organised by La Liga for us in coverage ahead of the coming campaign.
The players were photographed in both their home and away kits, close-ups of their faces and full-sized images, and playing around with footd the photo.balls. You can see it all in this behind the image.

Jose Mourinho sets out plan for Manchester United future

Jose Mourinho wants to create a new Manchester United to match the club's prestigious history

United lost the Super Cup to European Champions Real Madrid in Skopje on Tuesday but the Europa League winners will be back on the big Champions League Euro stage in September for the first time since December 2015 when Louis van Gaal's side were knocked out of the group stages.

"We have a giant on our chest, which is really heavy, but we don't compare our potential to the biggest clubs in Europe right now. We'll take it step by step and be humble.

"Because Manchester United is a real giant, it doesn't matter if the club is somewhat far away from that level for three, four, five or 10 years. It doesn't matter: the club will always be a giant.

"But our job is to try to bring the football club back to that stature. That's really difficult these days.

"Before, the giants were the powerful ones economically, and now there are small clubs in terms of prestige and history, who are giants economically. That changes absolutely everything."

Mournho, though, says he is going to be patient in his quest to ensure United's future on-field status mirrors the past glories.

"I want the team to be on a par with the club's history, which is something I've been lucky enough to feel at every club - there was the same kind of feeling at Inter and at Real Madrid," added the Reds boss.

"We are going to do that, step by step. Last season we won trophies. Playing against the European champions (in the Super Cup), it's like we're back at the theatre, back at that level. This is where we want to be.

"We'll improve the team and try to be at that level, to constantly be improving. And I think we're going to reach that level as a football team in the next couple of years."

Liverpool reject Barcelona Coutinho bid

Liverpool have rejected a second, improved bid of $A148 million from Barcelona for star man Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.

The Reds are said to have dismissed a STG90 million offer from the Catalan giants, who have money to burn after selling Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record figure last week.
Barca had already had a STG72 million ($A119 million) offer for the Brazilian turned down, with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp going on record to say his prize asset is not for sale.
Coutinho joined Liverpool from Inter Milan for STG8.5 million ($A14 million) in 2013 and signed a new five-year deal in January.
Despite struggling with an ankle injury last season, he still scored 14 goals and remains a key part of Klopp's squad for the campaign ahead.
Rumours of a possible move to Barcelona were heightened last week when Coutinho was left out of the Reds' squad for a pre-season trip to Bilbao.
But Klopp stressed the midfielder was merely suffering from a minor back injury which is also expected to rule him out of Saturday's Premier League opener at Watford.

Ander Herrera optimistic about Manchester United's near future despite UEFA Super Cup loss to Real Madrid

Ander Herrera believes Manchester United need to keep their loss against Real Madrid behind and look forward to the Premier League.

Ander Herrera knows Manchester United can ill afford to stew on their deserved UEFA Super Cup loss as they look to fight on all fronts this season

The Red Devils were outclassed at times by Real Madrid in sweltering Skopje on Tuesday night, with the manner of the 2-1 loss giving Jose Mourinho food for thought entering his second season at the helm.

The Portuguese midfielder’s first campaign ended with Europa League glory, bringing the welcome boon of Champions League qualification having already secured EFL Cup and Community Shield success.

It was, though, another disappointing Premier League campaign for United.

Herrera has not finished higher than fourth in his time at Old Trafford and, with the title in his sights, is desperate to hit the ground running against West Ham on Sunday.

“We have to accept Real deserve to be the winners,” the Spaniard said. “But we can take a lot of good things from this game.

“The Premier League starts on Sunday, there is no time to be upset, we want to be contenders for the title and we want to fight for every title this season.

“Last season, we won three trophies which is very good, but we didn’t fight for the Premier League.
“That’s our aim for this season and we have a very good squad. We are going to play in four competitions and we want to fight for all of them.

“In every position, we have two very good players, so I am optimistic for this season and let’s forget about tonight.

“I know it’s difficult because it’s a European trophy and that’s important for the club. “But now the Premier League, then the Champions League will come, the FA Cup and the League Cup. We don’t want to give away any competition.

“We are going to fight for all of them and we are going to improve.”

Herrera says United simply came up short against the “best team in the world” in Real Madrid – a philosophical stance that echoed his manager’s post-match thoughts.

Now, though, the attention is on the weekend visit of West Ham – a side bolstered by summer signings such as Marko Arnautovic, Joe Hart, Javier Hernandez and Pablo Zabaleta.

“We are ready and West Ham will be ready as well, because they have also played a pre-season and surely they are going to be fit as well,” Herrera told MUTV.

“But we are playing at Old Trafford in front of our fans and we want to win the first game of the season.

“We have to respect them because they have a very good team, they have signed very good players. “This season, I think the transfer window has gone good for them. They are going to be difficult to beat. Now is our chance to fight for the Premier League and we have to do it as well.”

Chelsea conflict:Antonio Conte is picking a fight with Roman Abramovich

Antonio Conte is picking impossible transfer targets for Chelsea

Stamford Bridge is a battlefield as Antonio Conte and Roman Abramovich continue to battle for control of Chelsea Football Club. The latest conflict between the two titans centres on the subject of Tottenham left back Danny Rose.

Reports from England claim the Blues’ boss has instructed club officials to make a massive offer for the English fullback. He isn’t fit at the moment, but conservative estimates believe he’ll be ready for Premier League action in September. Chelsea are willing to double his wages in an effort to convince him to leave Mauricio Pochettino behind.
On the surface, it seems like an innocent plan from Conte. Chelsea could certainly use an upgrade at left back and Rose is arguably the best player in the Premier League at that spot. The Blues are never afraid to flex their financial might and would love to weaken Tottenham in the process.
There’s more to this request than meets the eye though. Conte continues to be unhappy with Chelsea’s moves in the summer transfer window. The former Italy boss sees the support Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho have received this summer and logically wonders why he isn’t getting the same backing. The disparity has caused tension to grow between Conte and Abramovich.

As the club’s owner, Abramovich continues to hold the power. However, Conte is desperately trying to chip away at his influence. Conte’s goal is to secure more power over the club’s transfer dealings. Ideally, he’d like to see Chelsea spend big to finish out the summer.

The only tool left at his disposal is to use public pressure to push Abramovich into more spending. Conte can’t do that by criticizing his boss to the media or fans. He’s already pushed his boss far enough on that front.
Instead, Conte continues to float impossible to sign transfer targets to the public to curry favour with Chelsea’s passionate fans. Rose is a perfect example. Tottenham have repeatedly told anyone who will listen that he won’t be sold this summer at any price. Conte can leak his “interest” in the player and gain fan sentiment when Chelsea are “unable” to consummate a deal. Each time this happens, public sympathy for Conte’s cause grows.

As long as the stories can’t be traced back to Conte, it’s a no-lose situation. Abramovich will continue to be portrayed as the owner who won’t back his Premier League title-winning manager to the hilt. That takes pressure of Conte to win more trophies this season in the eyes of the public.

On the other hand, Conte’s tactics could coax Abramovich to make another big signing or two. Chelsea unquestionably have the quality to win the league again, but the right addition or two could make them the favourites once again. Either way you slice it, Conte is the winner here.
Antonio Conte and Roman Abramovich may not be fighting in public, but they are wrestling for power behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans must hope the conflict doesn’t cost the club one of the world’s best managers.

A fun training exercise with the whole group

A training game with a difference. FC Barcelona are preparing to return to official competition, but between physical and tactical exercises, there’s always time to have some fun.
As we can see in this picture, players from the first team must try to group together according to the number that is called out. Those that aren’t paying attention are handed a forfeit.

Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez to miss Arsenal opener against Leicester

 Arsene Wenger has confirmed Alexis Sanchez will miss Arsenal's opening Premier League match of the season against Leicester after suffering an abdominal strain in training.

The Gunners will be without the Chilean when Craig Shakespeare's side travel to the Emirates on Friday night, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Sanchez sustained the injury during a training session ahead of the Community Shield on Sunday and Wenger admits he is unsure how long the 28-year-old will be out of action, although he believes Sanchez is likely to miss the club's first away game of the campaign against Stoke on August 19.
"Sanchez will not be available," Wenger said. "He had a little abdominal strain that he caught in training on Sunday morning before he came to Wembley.

"He had a scan two days ago and he's out for a while. I don't know [how long he will be out] - two weeks, one more week. He will not be available.

"He will not play at Stoke."
Sanchez has been reportedly linked with a move away from the Emirates during the summer transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City potential suitors.

Wenger insists PSG have made no approach for Sanchez and that he has held no talks with the French club's chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

"It's a long time since I spoke with Nasser because he was certainly very busy to complete the transfer of Neymar," Wenger said.

"It's a long time since I spoke to him."

Asked if Paris Saint-Germain had made an approach for Sanchez, Wenger replied: "No. I think, if you read the French papers, [Kylian] Mbappe is how they will look to finish their transfer market.

"That's what I've read in the papers and on my side I've had no contact with Paris Saint-Germain."

Arsenal legend Ian Wright expects Sanchez to remain at the club for one more season before leaving on a free transfer next summer.

"It doesn't look like he's going to sign," said Wright, speaking on The Debate - the new nightly show on Sky Sports Premier League.

"He will score you 20 goals a season and that will be gone and will put more pressure on Lacazette.

"I think he'll run his contract down. I remember watching him at Bournemouth last season and he looked angry. He wasn't right and he hasn't been right ever since."

Wenger also refused to comment on speculation linking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with London rivals Chelsea.

The England international has struggled to secure a regular first-team place since joining the Gunners six years ago, but Wenger believes the former Southampton winger is finally starting to fulfil his potential.

"I think he had in his career some bad moments because he had some small injuries," Wenger said.

"Last year he was much more stable. Personally I think he is a hugely talented player, he's on the way up and he will continue to move up because the potential is there.

"He's very conscious of his qualities, he was not always. I believe he will be a very great player."

Barcelona Transfer News: Fresh Inigo Martinez Talk Ahead of New Season

Barcelona have reportedly cooled their interest in defender Inigo Martinez due to Real Sociedad's valuation of the player.

According to Ramiro Aldunate and Oscar Badallo of Marca, the asking price of €32 million (£29 million) for the centre-back is believed to be too high for Barcelona. 

"The player was willing to move to the Camp Nou and was thought to have agreed terms, but the clubs have failed to reach an agreement that suits both parties, leading to Barcelona withdrawing from negotiations," the report noted. "…Ernesto Valverde specifically requested Martinez's arrival, but will now have to identify new targets."

Barcelona were a little lightweight in defence last season. While Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti were strong as a partnership, Javier Mascherano was short of his usual best. Jeremy Mathieu has also left the club to join Sporting CP.

Martinez would have added more competition to the base of the Blaugrana side. He's calm on the ball, reads the game well and has developed into a leader at the Camp Nou.

However, ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan can see why Barcelona are unwilling to pay the aforementioned sum to sign the player:

It's important Barcelona have depth at the back, though. Throughout the course of the campaign, Valverde will not be able to solely rely on Pique, Umtiti and Mascherano. His other options are the injury-prone Thomas Vermaelen and Marlon, who is untested at the highest level.

Martinez's acquisition would make a lot of sense. At 26, he still has his peak years to come, while being left-sided means he would bring an ideal balance to the back four.

However, with €222 million (£200 million) secured by Barca from the sale of Neymar, it appears La Real will be out to earn as much as they can from the sale of a star man.

Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has said the club are in talks with Barcelona over the potential signing of Arda Turan from Barcelona.

Arda Turan in Galatasaray Talks

"Arda is a Galatasaray fan," he said, per Ozgur Sancar of AS. "He loves the club and he will serve this club again. The only option he has to play in Turkey is here and we want Arda to retire at Galatasaray. We are working on a deal to arrange his transfer."

Turan has struggled to find his best for Barcelona since joining the club in 2015 and failed to force his way into the plans of former boss Luis Enrique last season.

During his time at Atletico Madrid, the Turkey international was one of the best players in La Liga, thriving under the guidance of Diego Simeone. Needless to say, sports journalist Rafael Hernandez hasn't been impressed with the player during his time at the Camp Nou:

Now 30, Turan will not want to be sat on the bench at Barcelona. He should be in the peak years of his career and should be getting regular football.

Even with Neymar gone, it's tough to see how the former Atletico man can force his way back into contention at the Camp Nou. A move back to Galatasaray to become a key member of the side may be what’s needed for him to reignite his stalled career.

Isco, man of the match in the European Super Cup

"We are very hungry for titles and have a spectacular squad", said the man from Malaga, scorer of the Whites' second goal.

Isco was key in the middle of the park for Real Madrid on the road to claiming the fourth European Super Cup. His performance earned him the man of the match prize against Manchester United. The man from Malaga scored the second goal in Skopje, finishing well from inside the area after a one-two with Bale.
"I'm very happy about how the game went, we've been a lot better on the whole, we've suffered a bit, but I'm very happy to win against a very powerful team, we have a squad to be able to do what we've done today, with players that link up very well".

The best in the world
"The build-up was very good and we are worthy winners. United are a very good team but Madrid is the best in the world, we continue to show it, we are very hungry for titles and have a spectacular squad."
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING HARD TO WIN MORE TITLES.

"The club is doing an incredible job managing things, thinking about the present as well as the future. We don’t usually slip up in the big games and we’re building a winning group. We’ve got a great relationship in the changing room".

Objectives
"I’ve won almost every title but we always want more and we work in every training session to prepare for these moments. I still have objectives with both Real Madrid and the national team. With the squads we’ve got in both set ups, anything is possible and we’ll continue to work hard to win more titles".

Real madrid 2-1 manchester united (Casimero-isco)(R.Lukaku)

Manchester United were outclassed as Spanish and European champions Real Madrid retained the Uefa Super Cup with victory in a sweltering Skopje.

Madrid dominated from the start and led when Casemiro - who earlier hit the bar - slid in a half volley.

They doubled their lead when Isco calmly slotted in from eight yards after a neat one-two with Gareth Bale, who started ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

New £75m striker Romelu Lukaku tapped in before Marcus Rashford scuffed wide.

The Europa League winners were given encouragement by Lukaku's strike, despite rarely threatening the Madrid goal in the previous hour, and could have scored a barely deserved equaliser through half-time substitute Rashford with nine minutes left.

United were unable to create another clear-cut chance as Madrid became the first team to retain the Super Cup since 1990.

With temperatures over 30C in the Macedonian capital, the match was twice stopped for scheduled cooling breaks implemented by governing body Uefa.

Game over for signing Bale - Mourinho
Relive Madrid's impressive win against United
United still way behind Europe's best

The Red Devils have spent £146m this summer on Everton striker Lukaku (£75m), Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic (£40m) and Benfica defender Victor Lindelof (£31m) as they look to improve on a disappointing sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

All three new signings started as Mourinho named a strong side against the European champions.

Only Ronaldo was missing from the Madrid team which started their victory against Juventus in the Champions League final, providing a stern test for Mourinho's new-look side.

But United struggled against the continent's best, particularly in the first half, as Madrid controlled the tempo with their crisp and purposeful passing.
The English side were unable to effectively keep possession before half-time - managing just 39% of the ball - and mustered only one shot on target when Lukaku headed straight at Madrid keeper Keylor Navas.

Mourinho introduced teenager Rashford at the break, looking to stretch the Spanish club - who the Portuguese boss managed between 2010 and 2013 - on the break.

Although the Red Devils did improve in the second half, they still looked well short of being able to compete with Europe's most talented sides going into their return to the Champions League this season.

Madrid continued to create chances throughout. Bale smashed against the bar when the score was 2-0, while David de Gea also produced superb saves to stop Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio.

Bale starts after Mourinho admits interest

On the eve of the match, United manager Mourinho said he will "fight with other coaches" to sign Bale if Madrid are willing to sell the Wales forward.

However, he added the former Tottenham winger starting for Madrid in Skopje would be "the clearest signal that he is staying there".

Well, Bale started.

In truth it was always going to be likely as Ronaldo - who came on as a late substitute - only returned to full training at the weekend after being given an extended summer break following Portugal's involvement in the Confederations Cup.

Bale insists he wants to stay at the Bernabeu, but struggled to make a major impact in an injury-hit campaign as Madrid won the Spanish La Liga title and Champions League last season.
The former Southampton player had a chance to prove his worth to Zinedine Zidane as he started up front alongside Karim Benzema.

He instinctively fired over early on, then set up Isco with a perfectly weighted pass before smashing a rising right-footed drive against the bar.

Bale, who was brought off after 75 minutes, will be pleased with his contribution in an impressive team performance.

However, if Madrid do sign exciting Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe then it would appear Bale could become a peripheral figure at the Bernabeu.

After the game, Bale said he has not been told he can leave.

"I'm just concentrating on football and not listening to anything," he said. "I'm enjoying myself playing here."
Competitive top-level European club games rarely include drink breaks, but they were implemented by Uefa in Skopje after temperatures remained over 30C during the match.

A heatwave nicknamed 'Lucifer' has hit southern Europe with temperatures in the Macedonian capital regularly rising above 40C this week.

The match paused twice - once at the 30-minute mark and again after 72 minutes - for both sets of players to rehydrate.

Both managers used the pair of two-minute breaks to gather their players around and issue some tactical instructions.

Bale said he felt his team coped well with the heat, adding: "It helped we have been training in 38C heat in Madrid."

Post-match reaction

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho:

"I think we did well. We lost 2-1 which, I think, shows the result was really short, and one of the goals was offside so with a good VAR [video assistant referee] it would be 1-1 and extra time.

"I think they could score more goals than they did, we could score more goals than we did. They had a period of dominance in the middle of the first half, we had a period of dominance in the middle of the second half and some balance in the beginning of the game.

"We were playing against a team of fantastic players and we discussed the result until almost the end, not the end but almost the end."
Man of the match - Isco (Real Madrid)
United cannot stop the Super Spanish

Spanish teams have won eight of the last nine European Super Cups
Only Barcelona and AC Milan (five) have won the European Super Cup on more occasions than Real (four)
Jose Mourinho has never beaten Real Madrid in a competitive match, drawing one and losing four of five matches
Mourinho is the first manager to lose three European Super Cup matches as a manager, following defeats in 2013 with Chelsea and in 2003 with FC Porto
The last Europa League winner to claim the Super Cup was Atletico Madrid in 2012, as they beat Champions League winners Chelsea 4-1
What's next?

United, who finished 24 points adrift of champions Chelsea last season, start the new Premier League campaign when they host West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday (16:00 BST).

Madrid face arch-rivals Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday, when the sides meet in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup (21:00 BST).

Barcelona and Liverpool agree Philippe Coutinho transfer - report . The deal may be for around €90m, rising to €120m

ESPN Deportes' Jordi Blanco is reporting that Barcelona and Liverpool have agreed a deal in principal for Philippe Coutinho. The move would be the first transfer for Barcelona since receiving €222 million from Neymar’s buyout fee.

Barcelona chief executive Oscar Grau reportedly went to Liverpool on Monday night to help push the deal through. Liverpool have already rejected a first bid of €80m from Barcelona as they attempted to keep Coutinho for at least the upcoming season.

However, ESPN is reporting that the deal now looks set to go through after Coutinho made it clear to manager Jurgen Klopp that he indeed wishes to leave.

Liverpool have continually refuted reports that Coutinho is for sale with manager Jurgen Klopp previously claiming Barcelona were wasting their energy in efforts to land the Brazilian.

However, if the report is true, it means the second bid with a base fee of €90 million was enough to convince Liverpool to part with their Brazilian star. The entire deal could reach around €120 million with added bonuses.

Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos describes Jose Mourinho as “just another coach” he worked with

Real Madrid defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have been discussing the differences between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane.

Mourinho managed Real between 2010 and 2013 and won the La Liga title, the Copa Del Rey and the Supercopa De Espana during his time at the club.

BY THE NUMBERS: Leo Messi becomes top scorer in the Joan Gamper Trophy

Liverpool are odds-on to sign two players if Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona

With every passing day, Philippe Coutinho looks more and more likely to leave Liverpool and realise his dream of playing for Barcelona.

It was on Monday that reports revealed the Brazilian has informed Jurgen Klopp of his desire to play at the Camp Nou, though he insisted he would not force anything.

Such claims have now been contradicted by Duncan Castles who, writing for Yahoo! Sport, has been told by sources that Coutinho has been slacking in Liverpool training.

The 25-year-old's intentions, it would appear, are to show his heart isn't at Anfield anymore.

"Coutinho is doing little in training," said Castles' Liverpool source. "He wants to ensure he gets his move."

Conti: ‘Ibra would help Milan’

Andrea Conti would like Zlatan Ibrahimovic to join him at Milan, but Jose Mourinho hints the striker could re-sign for Manchester United.

The Swedish international is out with a cruciate ligament injury, and was released by the Red Devils at the end of his contract.

That has led to speculation he could return to the Rossoneri once fit, and new signing Conti is excited by the prospect.

“He’s a great player, I don’t have to say that,” the full-back told Milan TV.

“He’s a great champion and he’s won everything, he’d definitely be a great help.”

However, United manager Mourinho spoke to Premium Sport and hinted Ibrahimovic could return to Old Trafford.

“Maybe he'll stay with us. He's not got a contract, but he's still close to Manchester, and the fact we are involved in the Super Cup now is also his merit.”

Real Madrid wouldn’t sell Cristiano Ronaldo for his weight in gold – Florentino Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has adamantly ruled out selling Cristiano Ronaldo at any cost.

The 32-year-old Portuguese forward had been strongly linked with a move away from Madrid this summer, rumours having been reignited after unpleasant news regarding taxes.

However, the situation has seemingly been resolved with Ronaldo remaining a Los Blancos player, but as far as Perez is concerned he was never going to leave.

“Sell Cristiano? Never,” he said, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I wouldn’t sell Cristiano if they paid his weight in gold. Only the great players bring in great fees.”

The main man at the Bernabeu

If that was the case; then Ronaldo, who is favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or (which’ll see him move level on five with Lionel Messi), would as the Daily Mirror writes be worth just shy of £3m (£2.76m to be precise).

He is withoPermalink

ut question Los Blanco’s most valuable player and has enjoyed a stellar 12 months in which he guided Real to back-to-back Champions League titles as well as helping Portugal win their first major international tournament.

A departure would have come as a blow to manager Zinedine Zidane who once again witnessed firsthand his prowess in front of goal as the former Manchester United man registered 42 goals and 12 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions in the season just gone.

Ronaldo, who’s Real Madrid’s all-time leading goal scorer having registered 406 goals in 394 matches, is expected to line up against former club United in this year’s Uefa Super Cup final emanating from Skopje the capital of Macedonia.

Alexis Sanchez should see out Arsenal contract with 'dignity and respect', says Martin Keown

Alexis Sanchez should see out his Arsenal contract with "dignity and respect" according to former Gunners favourite Martin Keown.

The Chilean forward has one more season on his current deal and looks set to stay after manager Arsene Wenger stood firm in the face of relentless transfer speculation this summer.

The club risk losing the 28-year-old for free at the end of his deal and need to have Sanchez at his very best in 2017/18.

Concerns were raised when he posted a message of social media shortly before pre-season training declaring himself 'sick' and, although he has since resumed work at Arsenal's London Colney base, he did not feature in Sunday's Community Shield win over Chelsea.

Keown does not expect commitment to be an issue, though.

"I don't think Sanchez is the kind of player to shut up shop," the former England defender told Press Association Sport at the FA and McDonald's Community Awards.

"Wenger will be relying on the fact he's someone who loves playing football and giving his all. They can work something out because he's certainly made his mark at the club and been successful, so if he's going to go he should do it in a dignified way.

"He signed a contract in good faith and - while he could probably move and earn a lot more money at another club - sometimes it's about carrying on with dignity and respect and finishing the job. That's what he should do at Arsenal.

Wenger is probably hoping he can somehow win the Premier League and keep Sanchez, meet his needs from a trophy point of view and find some way to match his contract demands - but I don't see that happening."

Wenger has strengthened his squad since finishing fifth last term, adding Alexandre Lacazette up front and Sead Kolasinac at the back, but there has also been an intriguing backroom appointment.

Jens Lehmann, the club's former goalkeeper, has returned as first-team coach and Keown, who briefly shared a dressing room with the German, believes he has plenty to offer the current generation.

"Jens is probably the only person I've met in football who is more intense than me," he said.

"There's a steeliness about him, a determination and a real professionalism. He's a winner. When he first arrived he picked up the mentality of the dressing room so quickly, the way we did things at Arsenal.

"It doesn't surprise me that Arsene has reached out to him, they're not dissimilar in terms of outlook and Wenger may have seen something of himself in Jens."

Crystal Palace set to sign Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah on season-long loan

Crystal Palace are set to sign Manchester United youngster Timothy Fosu-Mensah on a season-long loan.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho confirmed Fosu-Mensah would not travel to Macedonia for their Super Cup final against Real Madrid, with the versatile defender expected to join the Eagles.

The 19-year-old worked with Palace manager Frank de Boer at Ajax, before arriving at United in 2014.

He is highly-rated by Old Trafford chiefs, but is behind Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian in the pecking order.

The Dutchman made just 11 appearances last season, many of those coming from the bench.

Fosu-Mensah will be able to play across the Eagles’ defence or in central midfield.

He is set to become Palace’s third signing of the summer, following the captures of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jairo Riedewald.

Jose Mourinho wants to bring Gareth Bale to Man Utd if Welshman is available

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is ready to "fight" for Gareth Bale's signature if Real Madrid leave the attacker out of the UEFA Super Cup.

Bale is part of the 24-man squad in Macedonia for the match between the Champions League and Europa League winners, but speculation continues over the Wales international's future.

There have been suggestions in Spain that Madrid are willing to part company with the 28-year-old as they move for Monaco's Kylian Mbappe, giving hope to long-standing admirers United.

Philippe Coutinho will stay at Liverpool until the end of the season, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool will keep hold of star man Philippe Coutinho, but only for the next 12 months.

The Brazil playmaker, 25, would like to join Barcelona next season if a deal can be done amicably with Liverpool, according to Sky sources.

Sky Sports News has been told Coutinho, who signed a new five-year contract in January, will not rock the boat at Anfield and he would only leave the Reds for Barca.

Real Madrid - Manchester United Real Madrid-Manchester United: The European Super Cup at stake!

The European champions are looking for the first trophy of the season in Macedonia against the winner of the Europa League (8:45pm CEST).Real Madrid start the official season as they finished the previous one: playing a final. Winning the last game of last season, against Juventus in Cardiff, set up the chance to play Manchester United as they go in search of their second consecutive European Super Cup (the last team to do so was Milan in 1989 and 1990). The first of six titles which the madridistas will look to win this season will be decided at the Philip II National Arena in Skopje.
 
After almost a month of demanding pre-season work and four big matches in the United States, Zidane's side go in to the game looking to win another trophy. "There will be many key elements to the final and we know a lot about the opponent, but the most important thing is what we do", said the French coach at the pre-match press conference. The Whites´ coach, who has won the four finals he has been involved in on the Madrid bench (Undécima, Duocécima, Club World Cup and European Super Cup), has called up 24 players.
 
Ten games without losing against English teams
The previous record allows for optimism in the fight for the fourth European Super Cup. The Whites, who have only lost one of their last 18 European games (twelve wins and five draws), they haven’t lost in their last ten official matches against English teams (seven wins and three draws). It will also be the eleventh match between Real Madrid and Manchester United and the balance is favourable for the European champions (four wins, four draws and two defeats).The opponents are the champions of the Europa League, having defeated Ajax in the final and have already faced the madridistas this summer in the first pre-season game for the Whites (1-1). Despite the absence of Rooney, who returned to Everton after 13 seasons at Old Trafford, Manchester United has been strengthened by players likes of Lindelöf, Matic and Lukaku.
 
Undefeated in their last 11 European games
The team coached by José Mourinho, who will play their fourth European Super Cup (they beat Red Star in 1991 and lost to Lazio and Zenit in 1999 and 2008 respectively), come in to the game unbeaten in their last 11 matches in European competition (eight wins and three draws). The Portuguese coach will be without the suspended Bailly and Phil Jones for the first final of a UEFA club competition played in Macedonia.