United ready to reel in City, says Ibrahimovic
MANCHESTER: Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Manchester United can catch runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City after he and Paul Pogba made a triumphant return from long-term injuries.
“I think we can chase City, why is it not a possibility?” said Ibrahimovic.
“We are all here because we want to win and we need to because they are first. I can talk of what Paul brings — big quality. Today it was like he hasn’t been injured for a month, he brings such big quality, a different quality and I bring experience and mine.
I try to help the guys much as possible and do what I can. This week the manager has been very happy because he has a full team for the first time this season and as a coach you want those opportunities and alternatives to make changes. I think there is a possibility for winning everything.
“We were early into it last year and won two trophies and we are stronger this season. We believe we can do it.”
Ibrahimovic’s comeback has been remarkably quick, given the seriousness of the injury and his age. Mourinho was clearly moved to see the 36-yearold back in action, a good month ahead of schedule.
ITALIAN FA CHIEF TAVECCHIO RESIGNS
ROME:Italian FA president Carlo Tavecchio has resigned a week after Italy’s World Cup qualifying fiasco, an FIGC official confirmed on Monday.
The 74-year-old handed in his resignation during a crisis meeting of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in Rome. “He informed us of his resignation,” Damiano Tommasi, the head of the Italian Players’ Union, told journalists outside the federation headquarters.
Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura was sacked last Wednesday after a 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat by Sweden saw the fourtime champions miss the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
MOYES’ REIGN STARTS WITH DEFEAT
LONDON: West Ham went down 2-0 at Watford as David Moyes’ tenure as manager got off to a losing start at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Will Hughes turned home Andre Gray’s scuffed shot in the 11th minute to put Marco Silva’s men in front and Richarlison netted the second in the 64th minute to wrap up the points. Watford climbed to eighth on 18 points, with West Ham stuck in the relegation zone in 18th on nine.
“We missed some big chances,” Moyes said. “The better team won the game, but there was a chance to change the outcome.”
WEST BROM SACK MANAGER PULIS
LONDON:West Bromwich Albion on Monday sacked manager Tony Pulis after a miserable run of form that has seen the club slump to 17th in the EPL.
“These decisions are never taken lightly but always in the interests of the club,” chairman John Williams said in a statement on the club’s website.
“We are in a results business and over the back end of last season and this season to date, ours have been very disappointing.”