Man Utd agree deal for Toni Kroos

The Red Devils have been in talks with the Bundesliga champions over a suitable deal for the last two months, but David Moyes' sacking created an obstacle.

However, reports claim the deal has made significant progression after Louis Van Gaal formally replaced the Scot on Monday, with the 'principles of an agreement' now in place.

The Germany midfielder is approaching the final year of his contract and Bayern are looking to sell to avoid Kroos leaving on a free next summer.

And the Dutch boss is keen to make the 24-year-old one of his first signings as he looks to rebuild a broken United.

Van Gaal is understood to have a £200m budget to play with in the summer, with both the midfield and defence desperately in need of new talent.

Next season United will be without Nemanja Vidic (Inter Milan), Rio Ferdinand (free) and long-term attacker Ryan Giggs, who will take the position on Van Gaal's assistant manager.

Left-back Patrice Evra could also be on his way out of Old Trafford, with Luke Shaw reportedly close to signing as his replacement from Southampton.

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Guardiola chasing Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey

The Bundesliga club’s boss, Pep Guardiola, tried to sign Ramsey, 23, while in charge at Barcelona and has maintained an interest in the stylish Wales international.

Rambo has enjoyed a standout season, scoring 15 goals in 33 games for the Gunners – including one against Bayern’s rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

He was the driving force behind Arsenal’s fantastic start to the Premier League campaign but was injured in a win over West Ham on Boxing Day and was ruled out for three months.

Barcelona have also watched Ramsey in six games this season as the Spanish club start to assess how they will fill the gaps that will be left once Xavi, 34, and Andres Iniesta, 30, retire.

However, Ramsey feels a degree of loyalty to the Gunners because of the way they looked after him following the double leg fracture he sustained against Stoke in 2010.

Former Arsenal striker John Hartson said: “Ramsey will be linked with ten clubs in the summer but I can’t see him leaving Arsenal in the foreseeable future.

“He’s settled there and loves the club.”

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Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich Match Preview

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Klopp : Bayern are the best team in the world

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Bayern Munich are still the world’s best side - despite their Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

The Bavarians, who beat BVB in last year's final at Wembley, failed in their bid to retain the trophy, losing 5-0 on aggregate to Los Blancos, after a crushing 4-0 second-leg defeat at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.

Klopp argued that although the Madrid proved that Bayern are beatable, Pep Guardiola's men remain the No.1 side on the planet.

"Bayern didn't defend set-pieces well enough versus Real Madrid,” he told reporters on Thursday. “For me, they're still the world's best team, but they can be beaten."

Klopp also paid homage to Robert Lewandowski, with the Poland international set to play his last three games for Dortmund before he joins Bayern at the end of his contract this summer.

Klopp added: “Lewandowski has been a brilliant striker for us and it's been a great time. I hope he gives it everything in his last three matches."

Dortmund face Hoffenheim in their last home game of the season on Saturday before travelling to Berlin for their final Bundesliga fixture and the DFB Pokal final against Bayern Munich, both of which will be played at the Olympiastadion.

Klopp, though, is refusing to look beyond this weekend's assignment.

"It's our last home game of the season before we go to Berlin twice and we want to enjoy it in the right way,” the 45-year-old explained.

“Roberto Firmino is in the form of his life, as is Kevin Volland. We will have to defend well and we will get our chances.

"Marcel Schmelzer will be back and hopefully Erik Durm.”

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Guardiola : My mistake cost Bayern

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he made a mistake in his side's Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday and apologised to the club's fans.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos struck braces in Real's 4-0 second-leg thrashing of the Bundesliga champions at the Allianz Arena, completing a 5-0 aggregate victory.

And Guardiola admitted it was his error that led to Bayern's humiliating defeat, but insisted it's impossible for the team to win every title.

"We played badly when we had the ball. That's my responsibility. I made a mistake," the Spaniard told reporters.

"I was wrong on some tactical issues. It’s my responsibility. When you don’t play well, these things happen against great rivals, but I’m disappointed.

"This team has to win everything so that people are happy. Sometime it’s not possible. I’m sorry for the disappointment of not playing well.

"Three years ago Bayern won zero titles in a season. If you win the league it may be enough but we knew that this year could only equal the past. We won’t but that’s the sport.

"Today there has been a team that has been better. I still have the impression we’ve had a good Champions League campaign but Real Madrid had the quality and the first-half won it for them."

"It’s difficult for me and my players. I’m still proud of them.

"The reason for the defeat isn’t related to the possession. Football is played with the ball and then there are other things.

"It was a bit better in the first-leg, but congratulations to Real Madrid."

Guardiola lamented his side's defending from set-pieces, with Ramos heading in a corner and free-kick in the first half.

Ronaldo netted on the counter-attack before half-time and completed the scoring with a cheeky free-kick which went under a jumping Bayern defensive wall.

"We have to carry on now. If you don't play well and you defend set-pieces badly, that's just how it is. You are being punished," Guardiola said.

"We are at the highest level in Europe; such mistakes are punished right away."

Guardiola said he had been hopeful Bayern could reproduce the performances they put in against Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United earlier in the knockout stages.

"What we did against Arsenal and Manchester [United] did not work today," he said.

"Also in the first-leg in Madrid we had more control than today and at least a couple of chances. Today, just a few. That's why we have lost the semi-final.

"You play with the ball and if you don't have it that doesn't work."

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Lahm blames tactics for Real defeat

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm was full of regret after his side's devastating 4-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat to Real Madrid.

The reigning champions only lost 1-0 in the Bernabeu but were annihilated in front of stunned home fans at the Allianz Arena as Real raced into a 3-0 first-half lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed his second of the night in the dying stages to add further emphasis to the scoreline - but Lahm was adamant the sloppy defending that allowed Sergio Ramos to score twice in the first 20 minutes was to blame.

The Germany full-back told the Bayern website: "We're very disappointed because we set our sights high, but suddenly we were 2-0 down after 20 minutes from two set-pieces.

"That really leaves a bitter taste. I don't think we played well tactically in the first half. The game was too open.

"It was the opposite of the first leg when we controlled the play. I know they hit us on the break last week, but (on Tuesday) it was end-to-end stuff in the first half.

"That's fundamentally not the way we play our football, but it's what Real really like. It totally played into their hands."

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was equally disappointed, adding: "We didn't have quite enough passion to cause our opponents serious problems.

"We were obviously unlucky to go two goals behind to set-plays. After that it was obvious Real would make the final.

"Real have a magnificent team at the moment and our limitations have been exposed to a certain extent.

"You get games like these, but we need to hold our nerve. We've been a little spoiled because we made the final twice in a row, and three times in the last four years.

"Despite the anger you feel welling up inside, I think on days like these you have to stay calm, go home and try to do things better as of tomorrow."

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Guardiola: Defeat vs Manchester United is unthinkable

With their FC Hollywood swagger, Bayern Munich are not the sort of club you would associate with self-doubt and fragility, especially after a season of setting record-breaking benchmarks of excellence.

Yet for all that, there were a few hints of nervousness flitting around the Allianz Arena here as coach Pep Guardiola conceded that if Bayern fail to overcome Manchester United it would be too much to bear for Germany’s powerhouse champions.

“If we are not in the semi-finals, it is a huge mistake for us, for me, the new manager,” Guardiola conceded, with typical candour before resuming his quest to emulate the treble-winning season last year of predecessor Jupp Heynckes. “I know if we are not in the Champions League final, this club cannot deal with that. It’s very important me, for the team and I knew that before I came here. I knew right from the start that I have got to be in the situation so I can also get this treble. If I don’t do that, then, hey, it’s not so good! I have to accept this.”

In other words, Guardiola accepts that if Bayern slip he will be perceived to have failed, something to which he is not accustomed. Being the outstanding pass master he is, though, he is adamant that his side will find a way to breach the massed “eight or nine” man defence, which he is convinced will again be David Moyes’s modus operandi, and move ever closer to becoming the first team to defend successfully the Champions League.

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Manchester United v Bayern Munich / Lineups

Man Utd 4-2-3-1De Gea, Jones, Vidic, Smalling, Buttner, Carrick, Giggs, Fellaini, Kagawa, Valencia, Rooney

Bayern Munich 4-5-1 [4-3-3]Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Mandzukic

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Moyes: We're good enough to beat Bayern

David Moyes says Manchester United should consider themselves on a level playing field as Champions League quarter-final opponents Bayern Munich.

The manager has been criticised recently for suggesting Liverpool and Manchester City were favourites for their matches, but he was in tubthumping mood before the home game with the European champions on Tuesday night.

"We know that on our day we're as good a side as any but we have to show it more often," Moyes said.
"I've got great belief in the players and I've said that from day one - that hasn't changed. I get the feeling the players all want to play, I can tell that from their attitude in training.

"They all want to play in the big games, that's what the players here have wanted to do over the years."
United, seventh in the Premier League, are the longest odds they have ever been for a match at Old Trafford, but Moyes says he has no fear of facing Pep Guardiola in the opposite dugout.

"I'm really looking forward to coming up against him," Moyes said. "I've no doubt I'll be doing it plenty of times in the future."

Asked why Guardiola has had so much more success, having already won the Bundesliga title, he said: "He had a year to get himself ready for the Bayern job."

Sitting alongside Moyes at the official press conference, Ryan Giggs took up the theme. "As players, we don't see ourselves as underdogs," the player-coach said. "We see ourselves as Manchester United, playing in the Champions League. It's two huge clubs, two great histories, two teams who play football the right way."

Moyes has injury problems in his backline with full-backs Rafael and Alexander Buttner now doubtful to feature while Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans work their way back to full fitness. "We have defensive issues undoubtedly so we will have to make one or two changes."

Shinji Kagawa, who has played Bayern Munich four times, winning all four, could retain his place in the side having started against Aston Villa on Saturday. "It's something we seriously consider. He is in our thoughts for tomorrow," said Moyes.

Moyes added that a degree of caution is required in the first leg. "We have to make sure both games are important but we'd love to go to Germany with a win under our belt."

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Thiago Alcantara will miss Manchester United game

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara will miss the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United after suffering a knee injury.

The club confirmed the Spaniard will miss both quarter-final games against Manchester United and the semi-finals should Bayern progress.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said: "It's bad news. We're going to miss him a lot."

Thiago suffered the injury in the first half of Bayern's 3-3 draw at home with Hoffenheim.

An MRI scan late on Saturday by team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt confirmed the extent of the injury.

Team-mate Thomas Muller said: "It's very bitter and comes at a catastrophic time, just before the important games."

Bayern clinched the Bundesliga in record time on Tuesday and hope to defend their Champions League crown.

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Toni Kroos open to move from Bayern Munich to Premier League

Toni Kroos, the Bayern Munich midfielder coveted by Manchester United, has indicated an interest in playing in the Premier League but his head coach, Pep Guardiola, wants to keep him “for many seasons”.

Kroos’ contract expires at the end of the 2014-15 season and he wants a lucrative new deal at the Allianz Arena, bringing him on a par with the club’s big earners such as Franck Ribéry on a reported £170,000.

Bayern’s sporting director, Matthias Sammer, has spoken of the club’s determination that Kroos “will stay beyond the expiry of his current deal”.

Interest from United has inevitably strengthened Kroos’s bargaining position. The 24-year-old is doing little to quell speculation.

“It is no secret that the Premier League is a possibility for me,” Kroos said, ahead of Bayern’s Champions League game with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

“Yes, I have heard about these rumours. A lot has been written about it [in England] and the German media like to take over this story also.

"I am a person where a lot is possible for me. No decision has been made about this yet. No one has come to any agreement about this and that will stay like this until the summer.”

Asked by the former Middlesbrough striker Jan Aage Fjortoft, who now works for Norwegian TV, whether he would “consider a move to a team that’s not in the Champions League” (like United next season), Kroos replied: “I will consider everything – if I should leave.”

The smart euros remain on Kroos staying at the record-breaking German and European champions, particularly after Guardiola outlined to the player how he could develop further at Bayern.

“I said to him you have time to become an even better player,” Guardiola said. “I hope he maintains this level of form – and for the next few seasons at this club.

“Toni is a young player, a great talent. He has time to improve, to gain better his skills. I spoke with him and said you have time to become a better player.

"He was very important in my first year here, in the first part of the season when [Mario] Götze , [Javi] Martínez and Thiago [Alcantara] were injured, so we had few midfielders. Kroos with his huge personality, was very important.”

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Muller: Bayern won't be complacent against Arsenal

Thomas Muller has insisted Bayern Munich will not show any complacency when they face Arsenal for the second-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The reigning European champions head into the clash at the Allianz Arena with a two-goal advantage over Arsene Wenger's side.

But despite the Germans' lead, the 24-year-old is adamant that Bayern will respect their opponents and go into the match with the intention of putting the game to bed.

"Thinking about the character of our team, we have won our last 16 games in the Bundesliga," the Germany international told reporters.

"We always turn up - everybody always wants to win. We are not careless or arrogant. We always concentrate and want to win.

"We respect all opponents in the Champions League. I have learned how to have respect. Talking about Arsenal or other teams who are in the European elite, you have to have respect."
Muller has been playing in more advanced areas in recent weeks under Pep Guardiola and he insists he is settling in well, having scored twice in Saturday's 6-1 win over Wolfsburg, but he admits he is happy to fill any position in the Bayern squad.

"I've been playing up front a lot and I am getting used to it. I got two goals against Wolfsburg. But I do not have any preferences. I am just a player who plays with movement, I will play where the coach wants me to play.

"The way we are playing has changed a little bit [under Guardiola]. We play more in the opposition half, now we have the ball in the middle rather than on the wing. We find space for players. But it is very similar to last year. Guardiola does not make compromises – he wants to inspire the team."

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Robben: Wenger is a bad loser

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has accused Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger of being a bad loser.

The Dutch attacker remains upset that the French coach alleged that he had dived to win the penalty that resulted in Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny being dismissed in the first half of the Bavarians' Champions League victory at the Emirates last month.

Indeed, Robben has not only denied that he was guilty of playacting, he has also claimed that he was lucky to have avoided "serious injury".

"Shivers went down my spine when I saw footage of the foul again. Things could have gone horribly wrong. I have been quite lucky," the former Chelsea winger told De Telegraaf.

"Wenger's comments are typical for a losing coach. I don't care much about it, because it's not the first time he acts like this.

"It was a pretty scary moment for me. I picked up a serious injury in December after a similar foul from Augsburg's goalkeeper."

The second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie between Bayern and Arsenal is scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena on March 12.

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Lahm: Facing Arsenal is Bayern's biggest danger

Philipp Lahm thinks that Bayern Munich's grip on the Champions League trophy is under threat from "the biggest danger" Arsenal on Wednesday.

The two sides met at the same stage of the competition last season, with the Londoners close to becoming the first side to overhaul a two-goal first-leg deficit away from home with a 2-0 win in Bavaria, though die Roten progressed on away goals with the score locked 3-3 on aggregate.

Speaking ahead of his side's game at the Emirates Stadium in midweek, Lahm stressed that the encounter will be difficult for Bayern to navigate with Arsenal a much-improved outfit.

"The biggest danger for us, right now, is facing Arsenal in the last 16," the 30-year-old German told The Guardian newspaper.

"It's a tough draw. A lot can happen in those two games. It'll be two teams that are very good tactically and technically. I'm really looking forward to that game. I think every football fan is.

"I follow Arsenal a bit more this year and they've left a good impression.
"They're fighting for the championship, that's not a coincidence: I believe they have developed as a team. They've become much stronger, the squad is more balanced.

"And they still play the way Arsenal always play. They want to have the ball, they like playing it short, and they have outstanding individuals."

The Bavarians lead the Bundesliga by 16 points from second-placed Bayer Leverkusen after their 4-0 win over Freiburg on Saturday, but Lahm indicated that there will be no complacency in Pep Guardiola's side's quest for further success.

"This team didn't just happen to win the treble," the defender continued, referring to last season's exploits.

"It was a lengthy road. We lost two Champions League finals in 2010 [2-0 against Inter] and 2012 [on penalties against Chelsea], we were only champions once in three years. We know full where we have come from and how hard it has been to get to that point.

"It's not in this team's character to give all that up again, to simply throw it away. We have experienced getting rewarded for hard work and are hungry to do so again."

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Muller: I've no reason to join Real Madrid

Thomas Muller has made it clear that he sees no reason to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid amid reports linking him with a move to the Spanish giants.

The Santiago Bernabeu side are rumoured to be considering a swoop for the 24-year-old at the end of the season, but while Muller admits it can be flattering to hear of interest from foreign sides, he maintains he is happy with life at the Allianz Arena.

"Real Madrid? There has been a lot of speculation about my future in the past few weeks, months and even years. We have all seen what has come from those rumours so far," Muller told AZ.

"It's not a bad feeling when you hear about interest from abroad.

"However, at the moment there is absolutely no reason for me to leave Bayern Munich for another club."

Muller has been in sublime form for the Bundesliga leaders so far this season, scoring seven goals in 16 league appearances.

The versatile attacker has a contract with Bayern until the summer of 2017.

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Arsenal news: Arsenal lead United in striker chase

Arsenal are leading Manchester United in the battle to sign Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic.

The Croatian is expected to become surplus to requirements at the Allianz Arena next season following the capture of Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund.

UK newspapers have reported that Arsenal and United are interested in signing the player, but SportsDirect News can reveal that Arsenal are the firm favourites as United continue to miss out on the big names.

A source familiar with the situation said: "Arsenal are in a purple patch at the moment and United are going in the opposite direction. Mario wants guaranteed Champions League football if he is to leave Munich.

Mandzukic has scored 12 goals in 21 games already for Bayern this season.

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Neuer: Ter Stegen is a sensational goalkeeper

Germany international Manuel Neuer believes Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has a bright future ahead of him amid ongoing rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona.

The Blaugrana have earmarked the 21-year-old as a potential replacement for current first choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes, whose contract expires at the end of the season and will not be coaxed into signing a new deal.

And Neuer feels the Gladbach star has the potential to become one of the best in his position.

"There is no doubt about it that Ter Stegen is a great goalkeeper. He is a player with a big future ahead of him," Neuer was quoted as saying by AS when questioned about his compatriot.

"He is sensational. He is very agile and always knows how to deal with complicated situations. He is a superb shot-stopper.

"I don't know whether he's ready to play for a team like Barcelona yet. That's a decision their technical staff will have to make."

Ter Stegen's contract with Monchengladbach runs until the summer of 2015.

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Lahm: Bayern driven by 2012 heartache

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm insists the heartache and bitter disappointment felt in 2012, drove them on to success in an "unbelievable" 2013.

Currently enjoying the Bundesliga's mid-season break, Lahm reflected on an exhausting year that saw Bayern win a staggering five trophies.

The Bundesliga title set them going - the Bavarian giants won the title by a staggering 25 points from Borussia Dortmund - before they lifted the Champions League trophy for the fifth time in their history.

Success in the DFB-Pokal, Super Cup and Club World Cup has followed, and Lahm believes because they channelled their feelings of anger and frustration in 2012, they were able to come back even stronger.

"There were two possible outcomes after the final in 2012: either we fell apart as a team, or we grew even closer together," he told the club's official website.

"The second of these is what happened. This footballing tragedy and our bitter tears of grief released incredible inner strength.

"That was our biggest trump card. On top of that, the squad was and is very, very strong. Every man stepped up when he was needed.

Lahm says victory over Raja Casablanca in the Club World Cup final was the perfect way to end an incredible 2013.

"But the Club World Cup was another highlight to end the year," he continued. "It was easy to summon up our last reserves of energy, and it was the perfect end to an unbelievable year.

"The tournament in Morocco was a fantastic new experience, and who knows whether I'll ever experience it again?

"Obviously I hope so, but we all know how difficult it is to win the Champions League."

When asked to name a highlight of 2013, Lahm said it was an easy decision, nominating the club's 2-1 win over Dortmund in the Champions League final.

"(If) I have to choose then obviously it's the moment I lifted the European Cup in London," he added.

"I can't really put my feeling of happiness into words. Our hard work paid off at last, it worked out for us at last, and I finally had the thing in my hands.

"It was so thrilling and a magnificent moment."

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Heynckes: Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade

Jupp Heynckes says that former club Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade.

The 68-year-old led the Bavarian outfit to a treble last season and says that the side he passed onto Pep Guardiola is perfectly placed to usher in an era of unprecedented dominance.

"A team structured like this, in terms of age, quality and mutual respect, has a great decade to come," Heynckes told Kicker.

"They are strong enough to remain the number one in Europe in the coming years."

Heynckes elected to retire from the game in the summer - despite being inundated with coaching opportunities after it was announced that he would be replaced at the helm by Guardiola - and he says he does not regret his decision to step back from the game.
"I have not found it hard to let go at all," he insisted. "That's because I always remained in the background and never sought the spotlight.

"On the contrary, it is a relief for me that I no longer have to make so many appearances in public!"

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Robben eyes new Bayern deal

Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has voiced his confidence that he will sign a new contract at the club in the near future.

The Dutchman has been at the Allianz Arena since 2009, but his current deal expires in just 18 months' time.

However, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea man says he is enjoying life in Bavaria and believes he still has something to offer the team.

"The club knows what they have in me and I know what I have at the club," the 29-year-old told SZ.

"I have a feeling that I have at least three years of top football before me - I love it here.

"[Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge] has said that we will soon talk concretely about the future."

Robben has been in excellent form for Bayern this season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions prior to a knee injury earlier this month.

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