Carrick ‘hungry’ to lift Super Cup
Manchester United captain Michael Carrick is determined to add the UEFA Super Cup to a personal trophy haul that already includes almost everything there is to win in English and European club football.
United take on Real Madrid in Skopje on Tuesday in a clash between the winners of Europe’s two club competitions – a fixture the Old Trafford club have not won since they first took part in 1991.
Carrick already boasts winners’ medals in the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, Europa League and the Club World Cup and says United are taking their latest shot at silverware seriously.
“It is hugely important,” he said. “It is a huge game. I don’t think you can underestimate what we’ve been through to get to this stage and to play this game.
“It is a big achievement to be part of it, so we are taking it very seriously.
“It is a massive trophy to win at the start of the season and it can kick-start your season. It would be terrific for us.
“It is not one I have managed to win and I’m not sure if anyone in our squad has, so we are all desperate to win it.”
Carrick will face increased competition for a place in the United midfield this season following the acquisition of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, but the former West Ham and Tottenham man welcomed the arrival of the Serbia international.
BRIEFS
Dalbert undergoes Inter medical
Dalbert has arrived in Milan for a medical ahead of an expected switch to Inter from Nice. Julien Fournier, the French club’s general manager, insisted at the weekend that the left-back would not be heading to San Siro. However, Inter tweeted images of the Brazilian undergoing a medical on Tuesday, suggesting a move is not far away. Dalbert signed for Nice from Vitoria de Guimaraes last year and made 33 appearances as they finished third in Ligue 1, securing Champions League qualification.
Marseille star Payet sidelined by injury
Dimitri Payet is set for two weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, Marseille have confirmed. The France midfielder was substituted during Sunday’s opening 3-0 Ligue 1 win over Dijon at the Stade Velodrome. It means the 30-year-old former West Ham star is set to miss the forthcoming top-flight matches against Nantes and Angers, along with the first leg of the Europa League play-off tie against Domzale of Slovenia.
Kranevitter quits Atletico for Zenit
Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal to sell Argentina international Matias Kranevitter to Zenit. The 24-year-old joined Atletico from River Plate for a reported €8million in August 2015 and made 11 appearances in all competitions during the second half of that season, having remained with River until the conclusion of the Club World Cup. He was loaned out to Sevilla last season, where he made 32 outings, but has been deemed surplus to requirements by Atletico ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.
Nice return not option for Arfa—Rivere
Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere insists Hatem Ben Arfa will not be returning to Nice from Paris Saint-Germain Ben Arfa headed to the French capital from the south coast in July 2016, having scored 18 goals in 37 matches in his only season at the Allianz Riviera. But the former Lyon, Marseille and Newcastle United man made just five Ligue 1 starts for PSG in 2016-17 and has reportedly been told he can leave the club. News of Ben Arfa’s availability sparked talk of a potential move back to Nice, but Rivere has maintained that the France international is not in his thoughts.
