SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016 SPORTS

Mourinho set for Man United LONDON: Jose Mourinho will be appointed Manchester United manager next week to replace Louis van Gaal despite yesterday’s FA Cup final victo- ry over Crystal Palace, British media have reported. The 53-year-old Portuguese will take over at United, according to the reports, even though Van Gaal, who steered United to a 2-1 extra-time win over Crystal Palace at Wembley, has a year left on his contract. Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea in December after his second spell in charge of the west London club, has also managed Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. The Daily Telegraph reported on its website that the deal to bring Mourinho to Old Trafford was reached at the end of last week with an official announcement due in the next few days. The BBC ran the same story but added that some senior figures at United were known to have serious reservations about the prospect of appointing Mourinho, with some preferring Van Gaal’s assistant, Ryan Giggs, as an alternative. Asked about his future at a news conference after the final, the Dutchman pointed at the FA Cup in front of him. “I show you the Cup,” he said. “And I don’t discuss it with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months. Which manager can do what I have done? I don’t want to talk about leaving the club.” Regular criticism Van Gaal preferred to dwell on the positives from a season in which United won their first trophy since SAINT-DENIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the French Cup final football match between arseilleM (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) yesterday. — AFP 2013 and brought in some promising young players but came one place lower in the Premier League, fin- ishing fifth behind Manchester City on goal differ- Ibrahimovic lifts French Cup in PSG swansong ence and missing out on the Champions League. There has also been regular criticism from the club’s PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals and set up another French Cup winners Marseille in a repeat of the 2006 final, won Thauvin was fortunate to escape punishment when he blocked supporters about a style of play that brought only 49 as Paris Saint-Germain defeated bitter rivals Marseille 4-2 to 2-1 by Paris. Ibrahimovic, who last weekend broke Argentine Ibrahimovic’s goalbound strike with his hand shortly before the goals in the Premier League-their lowest total since clinch a 10th French Cup title yesterday in the Swede’s final striker Carlos Bianchi’s single-season club record of 37 league interval, but Marseille were caught out seconds after the restart 1989-90. game with the club. Blaise Matuidi struck PSG’s opening goal goals, was aiming to bring down the curtain the down on a glit- as Nicolas Nkoulou bundled over Matuidi inside the box. “I said when I started that we were in transition,” Van inside two minutes at the , but Marseille hit tering four-year stay in the French capital having already helped Ibrahimovic slotted past from the penalty Gaal added. “I had to refresh my squad and I’ve done it. back just 10 minutes later through on-loan Newcastle midfield- PSG to 11 trophies. However, Abdelaziz Barrada fired an early spot to put PSG back in front on 47 minutes, before Paris’ record In spite of the many injuries this season we were still in er Florian Thauvin. Ibrahimovic then converted a penalty imme- warning signal to PSG in their quest for another title when the goalscorer played in Cavani to steer home a third nine minutes the (Premier League) race and now we have lifted the diately after half-time to restore the capital club’s lead, before midfielder’s 25-yard drive flashed just wide of Salvatore Sirigu’s later after Chile international Mauricio Isla lost possession in Cup. That’s a title. “I’m very proud that I’m the first man- he played in Edinson Cavani to add a third goal on 56 minutes. right-hand post with less than a minute gone. midfield. Matuidi then released Ibrahimovic to stroke home a ager after the period of Sir Alex Ferguson (to do it).” The The 34-year-old Swedish star signed off in trademark spectacu- Blanc’s side were ahead though with their first attack as fourth on 82 minutes and guarantee PSG a 10th successive win defiant Dutchman suggested he was already planning lar style with his second of the evening, the 156th and final goal Angel Di Maria, provider of 18 goals in his first cam- over Marseille, despite Batshuayi converting a rebound three new signings for next season. “Every year we want to of his PSG career, eight minutes from time as ’s paign, delivered another from a wicked right-wing cross that minutes from the end after Sirigu could only Benjamin Mendy’s improve. It is not so easy when United come for a play- side repeated last year’s domestic treble despite a late consola- was turned in by Matuidi from close range. But Marseille, who low shot. Blanc then withdrew Ibrahimovic, who will leave Paris er. When United come the price is double or much tion from . were hoping to salvage their season after finishing 13th in the when his contract expires at the end of June, to a rapturous more.” Whether he is given the chance to do so remains With the Ligue 1 crown and French League Cup already in league, responded on 12 minutes as Thauvin’s strike from just ovation late on in the final act of a remarkable chapter in PSG’s in serious doubt. — Reuters the bag, PSG were aiming to move level with record 10-time outside the area clipped’s Thiago Silva leg to wrong-foot Sirigu. history.- AFP Barcelona, Nike ink record deal

BARCELONA: Barcelona agreed a “long- have to be ratified at the next Club General term” contract extension with American Assembly.” A record-breaking deal with ease sportswear giants Nike yesterday, which will the strains on Barca’s finances with a 420-mil- reportedly see the Catalan club surpass lion euro renovation of their Camp Nou sta- Manchester United with the most lucrative dium due to begin in 2018. Moreover, the kit-sponsorship deal in the world. Barca said club are reportedly set to announce an the details of the deal will be revealed and extension to Brazilian star Neymar’s contract- ratified at the club’s next general assembly. who is a key Nike-sponsored athlete-in the Catalan sports dailies Sport and Mundo coming weeks. Deportivo reported, however, that the world “Through this new agreement with Nike champions could make up to a staggering we are extending a strategic alliance for the 155 million euros ($174 million) a season. club, while also reinforcing our global posi- That would dwarf the current £75 million tion, hand in hand with the leading global ($109) a season, 10-year deal Manchester sports brand,” said Barcelona president Josep United agreed with Adidas last year. “FC Bartomeu. “We are excited by this new Barcelona and NIKE, Inc. have extended their agreement and are confident that we’ll be current sponsorship deal, which was due to able to celebrate continued sporting suc- end on 30 June 2018,” Barcelona said in a cesses together.” Despite sealing a 24th La statement. “The long-term agreement is a Liga title last weekend, Barca are yet to agree landmark in global football and builds upon a shirt sponsorship deal for next season as a highly successful partnership. “The details talks with current sponsors Qatar Airways of the agreement will be reported and will have stalled.—AFP Griezmann is one of the world’s top 3: Simeone

MADRID: Atletico Madrid coach Diego doesn’t mean we will win this match. “It doesn’t Simeone hailed star forward Antoine guarantee anything. We have to give everything Griezmann as “one of the best three players in we have.” the world” as Atletico prepare to face local rivals Griezmann also played down the impact Real Madrid in next Saturday’s Champions that a two-week layoff since the end of the League final. Griezmann has enjoyed his best Spanish league season could have on both ever goal-scoring season with 32 goals in all sides. “To play in the final of the Champions competitions. However, the French internation- League is a dream. “Now we have to prepare al has been particularly effective in the well, we have had two weeks and we have Champions League as his double against another week still to prepare. “I don’t feel the Barcelona in the quarter-finals and vital away pressure. I know there is a lot of waiting, but goal at Bayern Munich in the last four allowed that doesn’t bother me. I try not to overthink Atletico to upset the odds and reach a second things and that is one of my strengths.” The final in three seasons. “He has worked very hard, majority of the stars will be on Real’s side as pushed himself and knows how to listen,” Atletico aim to avenge their defeat in agonizing BARCELONA: Barcelona’s players take part in a training session at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi. —AFP Simeone said yesterday. fashion in the final two years ago by winning “The best way to improve in any job is to lis- the competition for the first time in Milan next ten. Without doubt he is one of the best three weekend. players in the world.” Griezmann also netted the Simeone’s men were on course for victory in Barcelona and Sevilla aim to winner when Atletico last met Real back in Lisbon until Sergio Ramos headed Real level February. However, he insisted Atletico’s run to deep into injury time and Los Blancos ran out 4- the final will mean little if they don’t finally land 1 winners after extra-time. Yet, despite the pres- sweeten successful seasons the trophy. “It’s nice (to hear compliments), but ence of three-time World Player of the Year the truth is I try to do my best in every training Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive session and my teammates and the coaching player in Gareth Bale and the likes of Karim BARCELONA: Important titles secured, three of its record 27 Copa del Rey titles - in Sevilla can also look to its record in winning staff help me be at this level,” said Griezmann. Benzema and Luka Modric, Simeone expects Barcelona and Sevilla aim to sweeten already 2009, 2012 and 2015. Sevilla has tested all five of its Europa League finals in the last 11 “Just because we have beaten Bayern or Barca the Real to play on the counter-attack. “In the successful seasons in the Copa del Rey final Barcelona three times this season. Barcelona seasons. Luis Enrique praised Emery for making Champions League that is clearly the route they today. Barcelona is defending its domestic cup needed extra time to edge Sevilla in a 5-4 Sevilla an expert in knockout tournaments. have chosen,” added Simeone. “I expect an trophy at Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, a shootout for the European Super Cup last “(Emery) is one of the best coaches in European opponent that will wait for their opportunity. week after winning its second straight Spanish August. ’s side then dealt Barcelona a football,” Luis Enrique said. “They are specialists The presence of Casemiro in midfield has given league title. The Liga champions face a Sevilla 2-1 loss in Seville before the Catalan club won 2- in finals and in turning around an adverse score them a lot of power defensively and in the side that is riding high after coming back in the 1 at its Camp Nou in their two league meetings. in a final. I am optimistic that we will win, but Champions League they have played on the second half to beat Liverpool 3-1 and clinch a “This is a tremendous opportunity that will be our rival will be in the match until the end.” counter-attack.” third straight Europa League title on Wednesday. very difficult to have again,” Emery said. “We are Sevilla has won the Copa del Rey five times, with Real’s route to the final has been a much “It’s the last game of the season, everything facing a rival that is the favorite and who wants its last title coming in 2010. “At the start of the easier one on paper than Atletico’s treacherous has a beginning and an end, and we are heading and needs to win a second trophy because its season it was unthinkable that we would be dis- course past Dutch champions PSV before into the match highly motivated to win another credibility depends on winning titles.” puting two finals,” Vitolo said. “But at this stage dumping out Barca and Bayern. Los Blancos title,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said yester- Barcelona will again look to its trio of star for- we are very excited about the possibility.”—AP brushed aside Roma before squeezing past day. Despite his team’s advantage of four more wards to finish off the campaign with another Wolfsburg and Manchester City. However, days of rest and preparation, Barcelona midfield- trophy, adding the cup to the league, Club World Simeone also reserved praise for how Zinedine er Andres Iniesta expects Sevilla to be a bigger Cup and European Super Cup titles. Striker Luis Zidane has revived Real’s fortunes since taking threat after having retained the Europa League Suarez leads Barcelona with 59 total goals across Match on TV over as coach from the sacked Rafael Benitez in crown. “It makes them more dangerous,” Iniesta all competitions, followed by Messi’s 41 and (Local Timing) January. “He has recovered the confidence, said. “They have already won a title and will be Neymar’s 30. Despite having injury doubts in its intensity and the speed of their attack,” added feeling great. This is a team that always plays us defense, Sevilla will likely stick to its tried and SPAIN COPA DEL REY the Argentine. “He has a more concrete style to tough. It has great players and a coach that gives trusted strategy when it faces Barcelona of soak- make the most of the three strikers. “To get to a it a lot of character.” ing up its attacks while looking to exploit the Barcelona v Sevilla 22:30 Champions League final is an important Iniesta, who along with Lionel Messi holds a speed of striker Kevin Gameiro and forward AD SPORTS 3 HD Antoine Griezmann demonstration of his work.”— AFP career 27 club trophies, helped Barcelona lift Victor “Vitolo” Machin.