TORONTO, August 8- World number one Novak Djokovic slumped to a 6-2, 6-2 defeat to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round of the Toronto Masters on Thursday while Roger Federer advanced with a tight victory.

Newly married Djokovic, who needed almost three hours to get past Gael Monfils in his opening tie this week, looked under-prepared against Tsonga, the powerful French 13th seed.

The Serb was joined on the sidelines by his doubles partner Stan Wawrinka, with the Australian Open winner losing to Kevin Anderson 7-6 (10/8), 7-5.

Wimbledon champion Djokovic finished with 18 unforced errors and dropped serve four times.

“I didn’t play even close to what I intended before going to the court, just nothing was going — no baseline, no serve, no return,” said Djokovic. “It was just generally a very bad day, very poor performance. I couldn’t do much.”

Two-time Canadian winner Federer was meanwhile forced to the limit by Croatian Marin Cilic, with the Swiss second seed finally claiming a 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 win on his seventh match point.

Cilic ignited the drama in the 10th game of the second set, holding serve in the 19-minute epic and saving six Federer match points on the way to levelling at a set each.

Federer, who turns 33 on Friday, finally regained control late in the third set as he converted after more than two-and-a-half hours on the court.

“It was a thrilling match and I hope to keep it up tomorrow,” said the relieved winner, who next faces David Ferrer in the quarter-finals. “I was unlucky with some shot selections on some of the match points and he hung in there.

“It was nice to win this one as I’ve had some tight losses this season. In the third set, his level didn’t drop, I just had to keep going and try to create chances.”

- ‘Play with your mind’ -

Djokovic cut a disconsolate figure after his surprisingly heavy loss.

“Obviously I feel disappointment and I’m trying to understand what I did wrong. Confidence is the hardest thing to get but easiest thing to lose. Matches like this can really play with your mind,” he said.

“I didn’t feel exhausted or something like that, but even in the first match (almost three hours against Monfils) I was not feeling very comfortable on the court. I wasn’t hitting the ball clean and made a lot of unforced errors.”

Tsonga saved a break point in the final game of the 63-minute rout, with the heavy hitter pounding over a serve which Djokovic could not handle on match point.

Djokovic came to Canada having won five of the last six Masters events he had contested.

Thursday’s loss was only his fifth of the season against 38 wins.

The victory marked the third time that Tsonga had beaten a world number one after putting out Rafael Nadal at Queen’s three years ago and defeating Federer in Canada in 2009.

“For me today it was great, I played a good match,” said Tsonga. “I was in good condition from the start, I served pretty well. I was pretty aggressive, it’s something positive for me.”

Tsonga next plays Andy Murray, who made the quarter-finals without hitting a ball when scheduled opponent Richard Gasquet withdrew with an abdominal strain.

Spain’s fifth seed Ferrer saved six break points in the second set in his comeback win over Ivan Dodig 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, while Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic kept home hopes alive by beating France’s Julien Benneteau 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 with 15 aces, taking four match points to go through to his third straight Canadian quarter-final.

Raonic takes on Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, a winner over Czech fourth seed Tomas Berdych 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov advanced into the last eight as he beat Tommy Robredo 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

MOSCOW, August 8- The Russian government approved Friday rules on subsidising construction of infrastructure for the 2018 football World Cup for a total of over 5.5 billion rubles ($151 million, 113 million euros).

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree setting out how regions hosting the matches can tap the funds under the government’s programme to support the World Cup.

While Russia successfully transformed the Black Sea resort of Sochi into a glittering sports venue to host February’s Winter Olympics, at a cost of over $50 billion, the World Cup presents an even bigger challenge as a radical overhaul is needed of sports, tourist and transport infrastructure in a string of under-developed regions across the vast country.

Some of the venues are already complete or well on schedule — but elsewhere work will be starting from scratch.

The programme has identified 28 projects including modernising the water and heating systems in cities hosting matches.

Officials have previously estimated that $20 billion will be needed to prepare for the World Cup, with about half coming from private investors and the other from regional government budgets.

NYON, August 8 – Arsenal face Turkish side Besiktas and reprieved Celtic meet Slovenian title-holders Maribor in the Champions League play-offs later this month.

There was drama minutes before Friday’s draw in Nyon when Polish club Legia Warsaw, who had dished out a 6-1 third qualifying mauling to Celtic, were ruled out.

Legia were demoted to the Europa League play-offs for fielding an ineligible player.

Arsenal, meanwhile, must over overcome Besiktas to seal their 17th consecutive appearance in the Champions League group stages.

Last season the Gunners saw off another Turkish club, Fenerbahce, to go on to make it into the Last 16 where Arsene Wenger’s side, finalists in 2006, came a cropper against Bayern Munich.

In other match-ups, Lille take on 2004 winners FC Porto, Napoli come up against Athletic Bilbao and Bayer Leverkusen play FC Copenhagen.

The first leg ties are scheduled for August 19/20, with the second leg matches on August 26/27.

The ten winners will join the 22 teams automatically qualified for the group stage, which gets underway in September.

LAUSANNE, August 8- Luis Suarez arrived in Lausanne on Friday morning to plead his case before the the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to halve his four-month FIFA ban for biting.

Barcelona’s Uruguyan striker, in a blue checked shirt and jeans, was tight-lipped as he ran the gauntlet of press photographers on his way into the hearing shortly before 10 am local time (0800 GMT).

Suarez was banned from all football-related activity for four months after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder during a World Cup group game in the Brazilian city of Natal.

He subsequently left Liverpool for Barcelona in a 95 million-euro ($127 million) deal but will have to wait until late October before he can play for his new club.

His legal team said on Thursday they were confident of obtaining a reduction of the ban to two months, meaning the former Liverpool striker would be available to play from 25 August, and for him to be allowed to train with Barcelona for the duration of his suspension.

The verdict was not expected for several days.

LONDON, August 8- Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is close to a 15 million-pound move to Barcelona, according to Press Association Sport.

The Belgium defender could complete a move to the Camp Nou over the weekend.

On Thursday, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said the club’s preference was to sell the defender abroad, rather than to a domestic rival, with Manchester United also interested.

Club captain Vermaelen, who joined from Ajax in 2009, made 21 appearances for the Gunners last season.

Niggling injuries and the form of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker limited his impact.

However, despite being an unused substitute at Wembley, he did lift the FA Cup in May as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought.

The 28-year-old has made 150 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 goals for the Gunners.

United are reported to still be interested, although a swap deal would not interest them, with rumours Arsenal enquired about defender Chris Smalling and striker Javier Hernandez.

Now it seems the Camp Nou, and not Old Trafford, is Vermaelen’s likely destination.

-By ESPN FC

BARCELONA, August 8- Barcelona have named Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets — in that order

The results of the voting held on Tuesday were revealed to the rest of the squad on Thursday, the club said on its official website.

Messi and Busquets were added to the list after the departures of Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes, who had served as first-team captain and second vice-captain respectively.

However, both Messi and Busquets have already worn the captain’s armband in the first team and both will be familiar with the new role.

Xavi, who has retired from international football to focus on Barca, had been the vice-captain for the past six seasons.

Meanwhile, the big-time dreams of a tiny French village football team have been shattered by the authorities after the League refused Luzenac (pop. 649) permission to play in the second division.

Luzenac’s fairytale rise from obscurity culminated in their winning promotion from the third tier of French football last season.

But on Friday, they were brought down to earth with a jolt as the Professional Football League (LFP) ruled they could not take their place in Ligue 2.

The ruling said: “The club does not have a ground which conforms to the required safety standards.”

Last season, the club from the Pyrenees, whose own Stade Paul Fedou has only one stand and 400 seats, played their home games at nearby Foix, where the capacity was just 3,000.

And they had reached agreement with Toulouse rugby club to play their matches there this season.

However, the League said they had not offered an alternative “solution of a ground which did conform to these standards” and a unanimous vote of the 24 members of the committee means they will have to start the new season back in the third tier.

By ESPN FC and AFP

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 9 – In the spirit of the new devolved system of Government Mombasa, Eldoret and Nakuru are being considered to host the 11th Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soyas) black tie glamorous gala in December according to organisers.

This will be the first time in a decade the annual fete that rewards top individual and institutional performers as well as federations across various sporting disciplines in a calendar year will be held outside Nairobi with founder patron and former marathon record holder, Paul Tergat, maintaining they will not add any category from the customary 16.

“We are in consultation with sponsors to change the venue and take the event to Counties, as its stands there is high possibility of hosting it in Mombasa.

“We want to take the gala where the athletes come from because this is a national event and we want everyone to feel accommodated,” Tergat, the former five-time World Cross senior men champion announced when receiving a Sh1.5m (17,055.15 USD) sponsorship cheque from Multichoice Kenya on Friday.

Tergat, the International Olympics Committee Member, said the panel of judges drawn from local media houses and title sponsor Safaricom, will have a difficult time in selecting nominees since Kenya performed well at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games as well as the women’s national team who debuted in the World Volleyball Grand Prix Championship in Mexico among other big events.

“We want to make sure we appreciate and reward our athletes who have done the country proud for example at the World Junior Championships, African Youth Championships, there is so much so I want to assure sports men and women we will have a quality gala as we intend to make it better every year.

“We started with seven categories and now we have 16 so we don’t want to dilute since it’s a good number to work with,” the former two-time World Half marathon winner added.

Organisers have set a budget of Sh21m (USD 238, 772) that will also cater for prize money where winners in each category will receive the usual Sh150, 000 (1.75 USD) for each gong.

Deaflympian Simon Cherono was last year’s overall winner with two-time Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi and double Worlds marathon women’s titleholder Edna Kiplagat scooping the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year accolades.

During the fete, SuperSport pledged to cater for the production costs of the gala as they have done in the last seven years.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 8 – Substitutes Brian Majwega and Brian Umony netted a goal apiece to inspire Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) sink KPL champions Gor Mahia 2-1 as the Cecafa Club Championships got underway Friday at Rwanda’s Amahoro Stadium.

Talisman Dan Sserunkuma scored against his country’s outfit in the 26th minute to break the deadlock before Uganda Cranes duo, Majwega volleyed in to level the scores in the 51st with Umony sealing the win three minutes to the final whistle.

Gor head coach Bobby Williamson blamed poor defending from his charges for the defeat that leaves them with no option but to win two of their Group B matches to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“To be fair KCCA played better in the second half, we had our chances in the opening period but we did not make good use of it unlike our opponents who converted theirs into goals so they deserved to win the game.

“We defended badly in both goals so we have a lot of work to do,” The disappointed Scotsman who was appointed Harambee Stars head coach on Tuesday said after the loss.

“I would like to thank my players who did a wonderful job although we had a little bit of fatigue since we arrived yesterday.

“Three of our national team players changed the tempo especially Majwega and Umony they went under my instructions and gave us the victory, we didn’t play better but with we will improve,” KCCA head coach George Nseimbe declared after the win.

The first-half belonged to K’Ogalo who created numerous chances but could not convert them into goals except Sserunkuma who tapped in a Musa Mohammed cross from the left for the opener.

This is after Timothy Otieno saw his attempt cleared by defender Ronnie Kisseka just after kick-off before David ‘Calabar’ Owino missed the goal by a whisker after heading slightly above the crossbar.

Gor continued to raid the KCCA defence with Otieno finding the back of the net at the half hour mark only to be ruled off-side by the Burundian centre referee as keeper Vasin Mugabi stopped midfielder Geoffrey Kizito’s shot three minutes later.

Nseimbe introduced Majwega and Umony who both inspired Cranes to the 2015 African Cup of Nations group final group stage qualifiers and they duly changed the complexion of the game.

Majwega’s first touch could have resulted to a goal when he pulled the trigger that forced Harambee Stars keeper, Jerim Onyango, to punch the ball back to the box with Stephen Bengo heading the rebound wide.

Majwega’s hard work finally paid off at his second attempt when he volleyed home Tom Masiko’s cross for the equaliser.

Sserunkuma could have notched his brace in the 67th but Mugabi rescued his powerful header before denying Owino minutes later.

Majwega had a good run from the right to leave defender Harun Shakava for dead and execute a fine cross that Owen Kasule headed direct to Onyango who went on to deny the Cranes winger once again.

The Stars keeper did well to stop Masiko’s cracker that was on target for a fruitless corner but could not save Umony’s far post placed shot that sealed the win.

Gor next plays Burundi’s Atletico on Monday.

LONDON, August 9- Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has announced his retirement from international football with Ivory Coast.

Drogba, 36, who last month re-joined Chelsea following a two-season absence with spells in China and Turkey, made his 104th and final appearance for Les Elephants during the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ivory Coast captain was unable to help guide his nation past the group stage, with a late penalty for Greece from Georgios Samaras sealing the African side’s fate.

The early exit in Brazil meant Ivory Coast had failed to reach the knockout stages in three consecutive World Cups, also going out in the group stage in 2006 — the nation’s maiden tournament — and 2010.

Drogba also suffered further disappointment with the national side in the African Nations Cup — the striker participated in final defeats to Egypt in 2006 and Zambia in 2012. He missed a penalty in normal time of the 2012 final.

The former Marseille man was part of a “Golden Generation,” including the likes of Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou, that had been expected to lift Ivory Coast’s first trophy since 1992.

Drogba made his international debut in 2002 and went on to win 104 caps, scoring 65 goals in the process.

-By ESPN FC

PRETORIA, August 9- A verdict in the high profile murder trial of sports star Oscar Pistorius has been set for September 11, after lawyers on Friday wrapped up five months of drama-filled proceedings.

Eighteen months after Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013, the Paralympian’s fate now lies in the hands of South African Judge Thokozile Masipa.

“We shall be back here on the 11th of September at 9:30 for the judgment,” said Masipa, drawing proceedings to a close.

Pistorius stands accused of deliberately shooting dead his glamorous 29-year-old lover with hollow point “cop killer” bullets after an argument.

He faces 25 years in jail if convicted, but has pleaded not guilty, saying he mistook Steenkamp — who was in a locked toilet cubicle at his Pretoria home when she died — for an intruder.

During a trial that has heard testimony from nearly 40 witnesses, the athlete — celebrated for his courageous journey from disabled child to Olympic champion — often cut a wretched figure.

Amid gruesome evidence about Steenkamp’s gunshot wounds, including how her head “exploded” like a watermelon, Pistorius vomited in the dock and later frequently broke down in tears.

The trial concluded on Friday with fiery defence lawyer Barry Roux insisting the “cold facts” did not prove his client’s guilt and that the state’s case was “circumstantial”.

In a last-ditch plea to the court, Roux sought to create enough doubt about the prosecution to make a murder conviction impossible.

He said the evidence suggested the Paralympian should never have faced a murder trial, but rather the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

“The failure of the state to present that evidence leaves one big question mark,” said Roux. “That’s the failure of the state’s case.”

Even if Pistorius is not found guilty of premeditated murder, he could still be convicted and jailed on alternative charges of culpable homicide, or manslaughter.

“Culpable homicide could get him anything from a warning to 15 years, again depending on the seriousness of the case and personal circumstance of the accused,” said Stephen Tuson, a lawyer and lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand.

- ‘Highly vulnerable’ -

The defence has sought to explain Pistorius’s actions as those of a “highly-vulnerable individual” obsessed with safety — a result of a difficult childhood and his disability — in a country with a sky-high crime rate.

The trial was even delayed for one month as Pistorius underwent psychiatric evaluation.

An ensuing report said he was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, but was not suffering any mental illness that could prevent him from being held criminally responsible for his actions.

But Roux argued on Friday that the “slow burn” caused by Pistorius’s anxiety is comparable to that of an abused woman who finally attacks her husband, causing the judge to interject.

“How does it apply to the accused in this case?” Masipa asked.

Roux tried to explain: “That constant reminder, I do not have legs, I cannot run away, I am not the same, that’s with him, he can’t pretend, he can’t pretend that it’s fine.”

“That effect of that over time — it filled the cup to the brim.”

Pistorius also faces three gun-related charges, twice firing a gun in public and holding unlicensed ammunition, which alone could bring a jail sentence or a fine.

He initially pleaded not guilty to all three charges, but Roux on Friday admitted that Pistorius should be found guilty of discharging a firearm in a Johannesburg restaurant.

“He’s guilty, my lady — guilty on the first alternative, that he negligently used that firearm,” said Roux.

- ‘Deceitful witness’-

On Thursday Pistorius, a double amputee known as the “Blade Runner” for his prosthetic legs, was branded a “deceitful” witness by prosecutor Gerrie Nel in his final arguments.

Pistorius’s efforts to concoct an alibi had led to a “snowball effect” of lies requiring more lies to back them up, Nel said.

“In an attempt to tailor his version to support his plea explanation, he tangled himself in a web.”

Summing up the state’s review of evidence, Nel said Pistorius was guilty of “a baker’s dozen” of misleading statements.

Roux rejected that assertion. “There’s no mosaic crumbling and falling, there’s no dropping of the baton, so eloquently put by Mr Nel,” said Roux. “Everything slots in.”

Legal analysts say the athlete undermined his case by appearing to offer two different defences — one that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, and one that he fired accidentally.

Steenkamp’s parents Barry and June sat side by side in the first row of the public gallery, their faces impassively fixed on Roux as he described Pistorius shooting their daughter.

Pistorius rose to international fame when he competed alongside able-bodied runners at the 2012 London Olympics.

Once a poster boy for disabled sport, Pistorius has been stripped of lucrative endorsement deals by global brands and has withdrawn from all competition.

If Pistorius is not acquitted, the judgement on September 11 will be followed by sentencing at a later date.

LONDON, August 9- Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o could be set to continue his career in Holland as Ajax director Marc Overmars has confirmed the club are in talks to sign him.

Eto’o, 33, played for Chelsea on a one-year contract last season but that expired this summer and he is now available on a free transfer.

He scored 12 goals in all competitions for the Blues last season — all at Stamford Bridge — and has been attracting the interest of Sunderland, QPR and West Ham. However, Ajax’s ability to offer Champions League football may swing the balance in the Dutch club’s favour.

“Samuel seemed very hungry to play for Ajax. He is fit and has a great drive to succeed once again,” Overmars told Voetbal International.

“We don’t want to block the growing process of our talents like [Arkadiusz] Milik and [Richairo] Zivkovic, but if it is possible to sign a world class player like Eto’o, then why not? It will be fantastic.”

-ESPN FC

LONDON, August 9- Vindicated by their FA Cup triumph, Arsenal approach Sunday’s Community Shield face-off with Manchester City buoyed by the belief that they are now credible challengers for the Premier League title.

May’s 3-2 win over Hull City ended a long and painful nine-year trophy drought for the North London club, and as they return to Wembley Stadium, Arsenal are setting their sights on even bigger prizes.

Manchester City’s 6-3 win over Arsenal last term exposed the big-game frailties that were to fatally undermine Arsene Wenger’s side’s title pursuit, but with a trophy under their belts at last, there is renewed belief at the Emirates Stadium this season.

“There’s been a little bit of negative media (coverage) regarding Arsenal not winning things over the years, but the whole way through that, since I’ve been at the club, we’ve always believed that it will happen soon,” midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain told journalists this week.

“So the fact it did happen (winning the FA Cup), I don’t know if it was a relief, but it was just a really nice reward for the hard work and the togetherness that we’ve had to show for a little while.

“It does start winning momentum and once you know you can win a competition like that, it gives you confidence to go into games and into competitions thinking you can win and expecting to go far.”

Sunday’s encounter in the traditional curtain-raiser to the English season has been given an edge by Wenger’s decision to publicly query City’s conduct during the close-season transfer window.

The Arsenal manager wondered aloud if Frank Lampard’s arrival on loan from City’s sister club New York City was an attempt by the Premier League champions to contravene UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

He then appeared to suggest that City had illegally opened talks with new signing Bacary Sagna, the French right-back, while he was still an Arsenal player.

His comments were dismissed by City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who said: “I think as managers, we have enough problems with our own teams to be talking about other teams.”

- Sanchez in contention -

In any case, neither Lampard nor Sagna will be involved on Sunday, as they are among eight City players who are still working their way back to full fitness ahead of the start of the league season on August 16.

Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Fernandinho and captain Vincent Kompany are unavailable due to their involvement in the latter stages of the World Cup.

Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo is sidelined with an injury, but new arrivals Willy Caballero, the Argentine goalkeeper, and Fernando, the Brazilian holding midfielder, could feature.

Arsenal’s trio of German World Cup winners — Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski — will not feature as they are also some way short of fitness.

Theo Walcott remains sidelined by a knee problem, but new signings Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Alexis Sanchez could all play a part after making their debuts in last weekend’s Emirates Cup pre-season tournament.

City face an exacting start to the season, with games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the campaign’s early weeks, and midfielder Yaya Toure says that Sunday’s game will provide a timely gauge of their preparedness.

“It’s a really interesting way to start the season, the Community Shield, against a top team like Arsenal at Wembley,” the Ivorian powerhouse told City’s official website.

“Even though we have only just started to train together as a full squad, we will be ready.

“It’s not just the Community Shield either — our first five or six games are looking really difficult for us, but that makes it exciting and it means that we have to hit the ground running and have a strong start.”

The game will see vanishing spray — deployed by referees to keep the defensive wall 10 yards back at free-kicks — used in English football for the first time.

LONDON, August 9- Jose Mourinho admits it will be impossible to find a replacement for Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

Lampard was released by the Blues at the end of last season and has since signed for new MLS franchise New York FC, while also agreeing to play for Manchester City on loan until his new club start training in January.

The 36-year-old established himself as one of Chelsea’s all-time greats during his 13-year stay at Stamford Bridge, becoming the club’s record goalscorer and winning the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Mourinho knows Lampard’s departure has left a significant hole in his squad, and the Blues manager claims even new signing Cesc Fabregas won’t be able to replace the England international on his own.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport, Mourinho said: “Frank is Frank, he is irreplaceable. No chance.

“Fabregas is the player we need to modify a little bit the profile of our game. We want to give the next dimension to our game in midfield.

“But I think we can never say – in spite of Cesc, who is a fantastic player as you know – that, ‘This guy is coming to replace Frank’, because Frank is Frank.

“One day he will be alongside Peter Osgood in terms of a statue being built for him, because he’s fantastic.”

Chelsea finished last season without any silverware and came a frustrating third in the Premier League.

Mourinho, in the second season of his second spell as Chelsea boss, has invested heavily in rebuilding the squad with the likes of Fabregas and Diego Costa and Filipe Luis, but he is certain the title race will be tougher than ever.

“In England it is even stronger now than in my first period,’ he said.

“Even more now because when I first came Man City didn’t have this financial situation they have now. Even Tottenham at this moment, all the top five or six.

“In this moment can you tell me who is going to win the Premier League? You can’t tell me.

“Can you tell me which one of the top five is going to be outside the Champions League? You can’t say.

“This is what I want. For my concept of what a league should be, this is the best.”

LONDON, August 9- Phil Neville has branded Manchester United’s miserable season under failed boss David Moyes as a complete disaster.

Former United defender Neville was a member of Moyes’ coaching staff last term as they limped to a dismal seventh place finish in the Premier League just one year after being crowned champions in Alex Ferguson’s final season.

The 37-year-old, who played under Moyes at Everton, has since left Old Trafford following the arrival of Louis van Gaal as United’s new boss.

But that hasn’t stopped Neville reflecting on what went wrong during one of the worst season’s in United’s illustrious history.

“I’ve had sleepless nights thinking about what happened last year,” Neville told the BBC’s Test Match Special.

“There is part of me that thinks it was an impossible job to follow Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I think Louis van Gaal has an easier task now, following the man that followed Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It was a really difficult job for David Moyes and I think rather than blame him, there has to be collective responsibility taken throughout the whole club.

“Last year was a complete failure, and a disaster from my point of view.”

Moyes was sacked by United as soon as it became mathematically certain that they wouldn’t qualify for the Champions League and he has so far been unable to land a new job.

But Neville remains a fan of the Scot despite his United woe and believes he will bounce back when he returns to management.

“David Moyes is an outstanding manager and will go on to be one for another club – it just didn’t work out last season,” Neville added.

LONDON, August 9- Louis van Gaal has wasted no time in revolutionising Manchester United on his arrival at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has bought exciting new additions to the fold in Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, with more new faces in the pipeline.

The squad will have a very different feel to it regardless of signings, though, as Van Gaal is just as intent on clearing out the deadwood.

During the club’s successful pre-season tour, the new manager admitted there would be several casualties of his squad revamp.

He said: ‘I shall make judgements after this tour. ‘I have let all the players play and I know now more than before the tour.

‘Now also it is a little bit soon to judge but in football you have to judge. You have to give the player a chance to make a transfer when I see that his prospects to play are not so high.

‘You have to say it in advance because it’s too late after August 31. I will tell payers after the tour.’

Here, Sportsmail assesses who will be cast aside in the new United, and which clubs will be able to pick up the pieces.

Marouane Fellaini

The Belgian was United’s sole signing last summer, and his mediocre performances in the middle of the park became synonymous with David Moyes’ dismal reign.

How much: United expect to take a hit on the £27.5million they paid and want £20million but will do well to get £15million.

Javier Hernandez

‘Chicharito’ has an impressive goals to games ratio in a United shirt, but his detractors suggest he needs more to his game. He’s well behind the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the pecking order and will find more opportunities elsewhere.

How much: £12million would be the Mexican’s price ideal but United expect closer to £10million.

Who’s interested: Juventus and Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham and Southampton are just some of the clubs to have expressed an interest.

Anderson

The Portuguese has failed to live up to his reputation, with a torrid spell at Old Trafford rife with injury. With no pre-season form behind him, by now he is well down the list of Louis van Gaal’s midfielders.

How much: United are struggling to find takers even at a knockdown £5million.

Who’s interested: Clubs in Portugal and Brazil have shown interest but little else. His displays on loan at Fiorentina did little to impress. Anderson may be difficult to shift.

Nani

The mercurial winger has had a career of ups and downs at Old Trafford, but it may finally be time to move on. His frustratingly inconsistent displays, along with a incompatibility with Van Gaal’s wing-backs system means his United number is up.

How much: A new five year deal raised his value last season but price will be around £12million to £15million.

Who’s interested: Juventus, Inter Milan, Valencia and Arsenal still rate the Portuguese winger despite his inconsistency.

Shinji Kagawa

Sir Alex Ferguson bought the hotly-tipped Japanese playmaker in from Borussia Dortmund to revolutionise the Red Devils’ attacking threat. Although he has impressed in spells, injuries and the arrival of Juan Mata means Kagawa may have to look elsewhere for regular action.

How much: United will look to get around £8million to £10million for the Japanese playmaker.

Who’s interested: Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp loves Kagawa. Atletico Madrid are interested too in a player who has looked resigned to leaving. Plenty interested in a loan.

Wilfried Zaha

The winger was tipped as an England World Cup star on his arrival from Crystal Palace, but has failed to live up to the hype. Farmed out on loan to Cardiff last season and another who doesn’t benefit from a wing-backs formation, his move to United may have been one gamble too far.

How much: United would do well to raise £10million and may prefer to send him out on loan and see if his value rises again.

Who’s interested: West Ham, QPR, Crystal Palace and Newcastle would all take a chance on a player who has yet to show his potential.

-By DailyMail

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 9 – AFC Leopards climbed to sixth in the Kenyan Premier League log after securing a 3-1 victory over KRA as Western Stima beat Nairobi City Stars 1-0 in a double header played at Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday.

The early kick-off saw Stima end their seven-match winless run with Job Omuse headed in the all important goal in the 25th minute with former Harambee Stars forward Wesley Kemboi providing the assist.

Stima leapfrogged Muhoroni Youth to 11th while the trouble plagued Kawangware inched closer to the relegation trapdoor as they sit only three points above the danger zone.

Leopards on the other hand are bubbling after collecting six points on the trot following their midweek walkover win over Sony Sugar and they find themselves nine points adrift of leaders Tusker.

Stars forward Jacob Keli sent Ingwe ahead in the 20th after brilliantly finishing Musa Mudde’s pin point pass before he turned provider for winger Noah Wafula who lobbed past keeper Philip Odhiambo to double the lead at the half hour mark.

The taxmen emerged from the break a determined side and could have reduced the deficit had Ivan Anguyo’s indirect free-kick that beat Martin Musalia not been ruled offside.

The persistence by Ken Kenyatta charges paid in the 70th when they won another indirect free kick that former Gor defender Anguyo curved to the far right side of the net as Musalia watched helplessly to pull one back.

Anguyo could have scored his second two minutes later via the same route but the Ingwe keeper clawed away another peach of an effort.

In the 78th defender Rodgers Ochieng was adjudged to have pushed Keli inside the box to gift Ingwe a dodgy penalty that Bernard Mang’oli converted to seal the points.

Timonah Wanyonyi’s introduction for Wafula strengthened the attacking force with the former K’Ogalo winger almost finding the back of the net three minutes to the final whistle but saw his on target shot deflected for a corner that went futile.

LONDON, August 10- Arsenal delivered a rousing demonstration of their Premier League title credentials by overwhelming league champions Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

Buoyed by last season’s FA Cup success over Hull City, Arsene Wenger’s side took charge with first-half goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey before substitute Olivier Giroud added a glorious long-range third.

With £30 million ($50.5 million, 37.8 million euros) new signing Alexis Sanchez also impressing on a sunny afternoon in northwest London, Arsenal’s fans will hope it proves the precursor to a sustained title challenge, after seeing their side fall away last season.

Victory in the traditional season curtain-raiser — which witnessed the first use of vanishing spray in English football — suggests Arsenal are in fine fettle ahead of their opening league fixture at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

In mitigation for City, manager Manuel Pellegrini could point to the absences of first-teamers such as captain Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, but his side’s rustiness will be cause for concern ahead of their season opener at Newcastle United.

With the millstone of a nine-year trophy drought no longer weighing them down, Arsenal made an assured start on their return to Wembley, with new signing Mathieu Debuchy obliging Gael Clichy to head a cross clear.

Debuchy then blocked a shot by Samir Nasri — lustily booed by the fans of his former club — at the other end, before Cazorla gave Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute.

Jack Wilshere was felled on the edge of the box by Dedryck Boyata, but play continued and the ball ran to Cazorla, who threw Clichy off-balance with a clever feint before drilling home left-footed.

- Giroud’s superb strike -

Edin Dzeko looked to get City level by racing away from Calum Chambers and teeing up Stevan Jovetic, but Laurent Koscielny produced a timely block. Moments later it was 2-0.

From Sanchez’s sweeping through ball, Yaya Sanogo played a pass inside that was slightly behind Ramsey, but the Welshman checked his run and smartly chipped the ball on before drilling a shot into the bottom-left corner.

It had been a less than ideal first 45 minutes for new City goalkeeper Willy Caballero — who was preferred to Joe Hart — but he helped limit the damage in first-half stoppage time by rushing out to prevent Sanchez collecting a pass from Sanogo.

Sanchez made way for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after a lively first-half cameo on the right flank, while City were given fresh impetus by the introduction of David Silva.

Jovetic twice threatened to halve Arsenal’s lead, heading against the post and blazing the rebound over before seeing a rasping 15-yard shot blocked by Wojciech Szczesny.

But Giroud put the game to bed on the hour, gathering the ball in the inside-right channel and launching a superb, dipping strike from 25 yards that plunged beneath the crossbar.

Arsenal’s fans goaded their City counterparts by aping their backwards-facing ‘Poznan’ goal celebration.

The teams will resume hostilities in the Premier League on September 19, by which time Pellegrini will expect to have witnessed significant improvements.

LIVERPOOL, August 10- Liverpool warmed up for the start of their Premier League campaign with a Philippe Coutinho-inspired 4-0 friendly win over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers’s side dominated their final pre-season match with Brazilian playmaker Coutinho the most impressive performer as he scored one goal and had a hand in another.

Coutinho, who will be expected to carry much of Liverpool’s creative burden following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, was a constant menace throughout as Daniel Sturridge, Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson also got their names on the scoresheet against German club Dortmund.

Liverpool, looking to gone one better after finishing runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League last season, handed debuts to new defensive signings Javier Manquillo and Lovren while Sturridge had shaken off a hamstring injury to start in attack.

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp had only one of Germany’s quartet of World Cup-winning players at his disposal in the form of Kevin Grosskreutz, who remained on the bench.

Liverpool’s passing looked crisper than that of their Bundesliga counterparts in the early stages, and Coutinho created the first opening with a weighted ball for Raheem Sterling who saw his shot beaten away by Mitchell Langerak in the Dortmund goal.

Coutinho was instrumental in Liverpool’s opening goal in the 10th minute when he played a first-time pass which sent Sturridge clear and he angled a shot past Langerak into the corner of the net.

Dortmund looked rusty and were punished for a lack of concentration from a Steven Gerrard corner five minutes later, with the unmarked Lovren allowed time and space to head home from inside the six-yard box.

- Intelligent movement -

The remainder of the first half was played at a more sedate pace although Coutinho, full of intelligent movement and clever flicks, continued to threaten in the final third in combination with Sturridge and Sterling.

Gerrard brought a superb one-handed diving save from Langerak with a curling free-kick on the stroke of half-time, and shortly after the interval the home side put the result beyond doubt.

Sterling seized upon a misplaced pass and found the unmarked Coutinho who swivelled and then placed it into the net past the hapless Langerak to get the goal his performance deserved.

Henderson, who had been full of endeavour and energy throughout, tapped home Liverpool’s fourth from close range just after the hour mark.

Rodgers, with one eye on the visit of Southampton in their opening league game, made a number of substitutions throughout the second period as Lucas Leiva Jordan Ibe, Rickie Lambert, Jose Enrique, Martin Kelly and Joe Allen were all introduced.

The changes to personnel saw Liverpool’s passing become disjointed in the final half hour as the game petered out as contest.

But Dortmund, well short of match fitness, rarely troubled a Liverpool defence marshalled well by Martin Skrtel and Lovren throughout.

NAIROBI, August 10- Leaders Tusker FC failed to pull away from absent champions, Gor Mahia, at the top as Sofapaka’s title charge suffered another setback when both challengers to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) crown were held to barren draws on Sunday.

The Brewers who moved to the top last weekend on goal difference with K’Ogalo away in Rwanda for the Kagame Cup failed to gain revenge against Chemelil Sugar at the Chemelil Sports Complex.

In Mombasa, Bandari were in no mood to give Sofapaka an avenue to resuscitate their charge to a second league title since their maiden triumph in 2009 after their 2-0 home defeat to Thika United in their preceding KPL clash as the Dockers forced them to share the spoils despite a spirited second half showing.

As it stands, Tusker inched a point ahead of K’Ogalo at the summit on 39 points having played two more games as Sofapaka remained in situ on 34.

The outcomes provided a tonic for Gor, who fell in their first Kagame encounter 2-1 to Uganda’s KCCA, as they prepare to face Burundi’s Atletico on Monday in a game they must win to avoid the possibility of an early exit from the regional showpiece.

At the Chemelil Complex, Tusker braved the Cane Cutters siege as the hosts sought to complete the double over the title frontrunners that they humbled 1-0 in Ruaraka in the first leg and after the other result, leapfrog Sofapaka to third, with the pair locked on 34 but their inferior goal difference keeping them fourth.

Keeper Frederick Onyango and his backline of Wellington Murwayi, James Omino and Charles Okumu kept them at bay with Francis Kimanzi effecting five changes to the side that prevailed over Top Fry Stars to take them top on goal difference last week.

Athman Buki, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Martin Kiiza, Dennis Nzomo and Brian Osumba came on after starting on the bench last week as Harambee Stars defender Aboud Omar, Andrew Tololwa and Luke Ochieng’ gave way with Khalid Aucho and Ismail Dunga not featuring at all.

Tusker threatened first in the fifth minute when Ali Abondo was put through on goal by the in form Osumba but he shot straight at the keeper. Osumba was at it again a minute later but he sent his shot wide.

Chemelil came close to opening the scoring in the 29th but Meshack Karani hesitated after receiving a through ball from Gearson Likonoh before making a hash of his finish.

Karani spurned another opportunity in the 50th while second half substitute, Innocent Wafula, had his chance from a corner kick but Tusker keeper Samuel Odhiambo was equal to the task.

After a tedious first half in Mombasa, Sofapaka launched raids in the second for the advantage with Danson Kago failing to find a route past Bandari second choice goalkeeper Kenneth Onyach in the 68th.

Two minutes later, Shaban Kenga put Abdullatif Omar through on goal but watched on in dismay when his team mate failed to send the ball past David Okello in the Sofapaka goal.

Kenga decided to take on the responsibility thereafter but even he could not rattle the net as Okello gobbled up his weak effort to leave Bandari, the surprise package of last season, stuck in 12th on 23.

-Material from SuperSport.com used in this report

LONDON, August 10- Barcelona thanked Thomas Vermaelen for turning down Manchester United and reassured supporters his injury problems are behind him when the 28-year-old central defender was presented at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Referring to United, Barcelona’s Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta said: “He had offers from one of the biggest clubs in world football and we appreciate the fact that he chose to come here instead.”

Vermaelen added: “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world so it was not a difficult decision to make. Everyone wants to play here and I’m not an exception.”

The Belgium international had been strongly tipped with a move away from the Gunners in the off-season, having never really cemented his place in the starting XI, despite having been club captain for the majority of his five-year stay in north London.

United were believed to have been keen on securing the centre-back’s services, although Barca swooped in late on and quickly wrapped up a deal for the 28-year-old, believed to be worth around £15 million.

“Thomas Vermaelen is now officially an FC Barcelona player,” confirmed the Catalan club on Sunday.

“A few minutes past 11:15am, the player signed a contract with the Catalan club. It is an agreement that binds him with the club for the next five seasons, until 2018/19.”

Speaking to Barca TV, Vermaelen said: “I feel very happy. I’m very excited to play for this beautiful club; it’s one of the best in the world.

“It’s a dream of a lot of people to play for this club, you play with the best players in the world and I’m very honoured to play with them in this team.

“I expect pressure like always; I played for Arsenal as well and it’s not different from this club, you need to win every single game, so I understand there will always be pressure to deliver a good performance.

“My first goal is to adapt as quickly as I can; it’s a different country for me, a different language as well and coaches, so I need to adapt and see how far we can go.”

-Additional reporting from Daily Mail