Timeloaded

The Spanish champions equalised late on through Munir Barca's decision to rest players backfired ( REUTERS ) FC Barcelona  salvaged a late point at home to Athletic Club as Ernesto Valverde's decision to rotate players backfired.  Lionel Messi  was rested but came off the bench to help inspire the comeback, setting up Munir's 84th-minute equaliser, but couldn't find a winner in stoppage time.  "It can't be that we keep conceding goals every game like this," said Messi post-match, though Barca's attention must now fully turn to Wembley, where they will play  Tottenham Hotspur  in the  Champions League . But in truth they had half an eye on that game already, with key duo Sergio Busquets and Messi both omitted from the starting line-up.  Oscar De Marcos turned home a cross from wide smartly to put Athletic ahead in the first half - one of just two shots on target all day - but it took just ten minutes after the ...

MANCHESTER UNITED could be stuck with Paul Pogba until the end of the season if he sets his heart on a move to Barcelona. Man Utd stuck with Paul Pogba until next summer as Barcelona wait to make move - EXCLUSIVE (Image: GETTY) The Frenchman has an unhappy relationship with Jose Mourinho who last week said that he would never captain the side again. Paul Pogba  wants to leave Manchester United when the transfer window opens in January and would like to switch to the Catalan giants. But  Express Sport  understands Barcelona would rather wait until next summer to make a proper attempt to sign him as they feel a deal would be do expensive this season in terms of a fee and wages. Pogba’s former club Juventus are also keen on resigning him but don’t want to strain their good relationship with Old Trafford to do so. And they may decide to only make a move if United openly put the World Cup winner on the transfer list which seems unlikely at this stage. Pogba’s...

Manchester United are not in the process of hiring Zinedine Zidane as their next manager, despite mounting pressure on current boss Jose Mourinho, club sources have told ESPN FC. United were beaten 3-1 by West Ham on Saturday, to extend their winless run to three games. This has led to a renewed speculation that Zidane who was in London this week, is in the frame to take over at Old Trafford. However, the club has dismissed talk of an approach to Zidane, as “nonsense.” Mourinho’s position is under the spotlight, after a draw with Wolves and the Carabao Cup exit to Championship side Derby County, was followed up with a dire defeat at the London Stadium. The result leaves United nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and Manchester City after just seven games.

Man United react to Zinedine Zidane rumours The Telegraph have reported on Saturday night that Man United have reacted to rumours linking Zinedine Zidane with Old Trafford. Many people are wondering how much longer Jose Mourinho will remain at the club. Mourinho may have signed a new deal recently, but Man United are struggling in the league. Man United are 10th following Saturday’s defeat to West Ham. So could Zidane replace Mourinho? The Telegraph  report : Senior sources at Manchester United have dismissed as “nonsense” claims the club have approached Zinedine Zidane over the prospect of replacing Jose Mourinho as the pressure intensifies on the manager. Zidane is interested in the United job and is a free agent after leaving Real Madrid in May after delivering a third successive Champions League crown but United have rubbished reports that they have approached the Frenchman. Perhaps the most interesting note is that Man United felt the need to react t...

The church has more than its share of stern critics these days. Sometimes the criticism is unwarranted. People project their issues onto a congregation or onto the church, which is never healthy. And, as a matter of course, the church will inevitably run into criticism as it has always been ever since. What the church is doing is counter-cultural and will never be met with universal applause. The Gospel, even when powerfully shared, got John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jesus and the prophets killed, just to name a few. While it seems strange to say it, even love, when seen fully and magnificently, gets rejected. Yet, other times the church absolutely deserve the criticism that comes its way. Often these days, it seems, the church is not ridiculed or persecuted because they are fighting so nobly. Nay, sometimes they just shoot themselves in the foot. Viz, most of the unpleasant things said about some churches are verifiable and they are cal...

Juventus 3 – Napoli 1 Can anyone stop Juventus from winning an eighth consecutive Scudetto title? Juventus took another huge step towards that goal on Saturday night in Serie A against closest rivals Napoli. Last season Napoli pushed Juve hard in the title race. This season, however, Juve are already 6 points clear of Napoli after seven rounds of the campaign. Napoli took the lead through Dries Mertens after 10 minutes. Mario Mandzukic levelled for Juventus in the 26th, and the Old Lady took the lead at the start of the second half when Mandzukic scored again. Leonardo Bonucci slid home a third in the 76th after Napoli had Mario Rui sent off for two bookable offences. Cristiano Ronaldo bags a hat-trick of assists He didn’t find the target, but Cristiano Ronaldo had an excellent match against Napoli. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick of assists in the game. Ronaldo set up Mandzukic for the opener after he delivered a cross into the box from the left...