Louis van Gaal sees Robin van Persie as perfect captain for Manchester United

Louis van Gaal dropped the heaviest hint yet that he will appoint compatriot Robin van Persie as captain when he takes over at Manchester United, claiming the pair have a similar outlook on life.

The Holland manager has grown close to the striker, who captains his country, and is set to favour him over Wayne Rooney for the skipper’s armband at Old Trafford.

Rooney had looked certain to be made permanent captain under David Moyes.

Double Dutch: Louis van Gaal (right) sees Robin van Persie as his perfect captain at Manchester United

A sign of things to come? Van Persie (right) poses with Kluivert (left), Louis van Gaal's assistant manager

Class: Holland captain van Persie scored a fantastic volley in their 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Saturday

Van Gaal rarely singles his players out but he gushed about Van Persie after the 30-year-old scored a superb goal in Holland’s 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw with Ecuador.

Van Persie was out injured for six weeks towards the end of United’s  disappointing season after suffering a knee injury in their Champions League victory over Olympiacos in March.

‘Even coming from a bad injury, he scores a fantastic, unbelievable goal, just brilliant,’ said Van Gaal about the striker’s 37th-minute equaliser at the Amsterdam ArenA on Saturday.

Van Persie is not 100 per cent fit, according to Van Gaal, but looked sharp as he sprinted to meet a superb pass from Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie.

He controlled the ball with his chest before volleying past the baseball cap-wearing keeper Maximo Banguera.

‘I was happy with his performance, but he is also a fantastic captain — and that is important, too,’ said Van Gaal. ‘I think you always make a player captain when you have the same morals and philosophy as they do.

‘Not only about football and tactics and what is happening on the pitch but about life as well.

‘We click and I think that’s very important. I believe that Van Persie and Van Gaal share the same philosophy.’

Superb: Van Gaal praised his star striker's scoring record in the year and a half since he took over

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Wenger handed huge transfer kitty with trio Benzema, Mandzukic and Bender at the top of his summer wish list as Arsenal boss celebrates FA Cup glory with new £24m contract

Arsenal will hand Arsene Wenger a £24m contract and £100m transfer kitty in the next 72 hours after he ended the club’s nine-year trophy drought.
Sportsmail understands Wenger’s will sign a three-year deal worth in the region of £8million-per-season in wages.
And he will be given the biggest transfer budget in Arsenal history to help him win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.

Finally: Arsene Wenger proudly holds aloft the FA Cup, won by beating Hull after extra-time at Wembley

The Red Sea: Thousands of fans turned out to celebrate Arsenal's first silverware in nine years

Wenger has been re-invigorated after watching his team beat Hull City in Saturday’s FA Cup final - the fifth time he has lifted the trophy as Arsenal boss - and will now stay at the Emirates.
Asked if the new deal would be signed soon, he said: ‘Yes - because I go to Brazil on June 10.’
The length of the deal is viewed as a significant statement of unwavering support from the club’s hierarchy. And they will also give Wenger the all clear to go on an unprecedented spending spree this summer to ensure the club build upon their FA Cup success.
Wenger will have £100m to spend on transfers and wages. His priority is to convince full-back Bacary Sagna and keeper Lukasz Fabianski to stay at the club, but the Arsenal manager has also identified three key areas to strengthen this summer. He wants a new striker, a holding centre-midfielder and a right-back.

Hitman: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema (centre) remains a top target for Arsenal

Combative: Wenger is also taking a keen interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender (right)

Up front: Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic is likely to be up for grabs, with Arsenal interested

Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema are among Wenger’s top striker targets.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender and Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin are midfielders who have been watched extensively by the Gunners scouts, while Toulouse’s Serge Aurier, Southampton’s Calum Chambers and Manchester City’s Micah Richards are right-back options should Sagna depart.
Wenger said: ‘First we have to wait for Sagna and see what he will do - also Fabianski. After we have to bring in two to three players to strengthen the squad, that’s for sure.
‘Unfortunately everywhere we go there are many teams on the market at the moment.’
Sagna’s contract expires next month and he will hold talks with Manchester City this week over a four-year deal worth at least £100,000-per-week.
However, as MailOnline exclusively revealed on Saturday, Manchester United are keen to hijack City’s move for the right-back.

Emotional: Right-back stalwart Bacary Sagna has yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates

Smile away: Southampton's impressive youngster Calum Chambers could be next in line for the right-back berth

Arsenal’s triumph on Saturday was Wenger’s first trophy since Patrick Vieira struck the winning spot kick in a penalty shootout against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.
He admitted: ‘I questioned myself because we live in a world where people always tell you what you haven’t done. They never say what you have done.
‘I believe as well that the quality of the club is its consistency. The special players help you to win trophies, but the quality of consistency is important for a club.
‘And on that front, we’ve been better than everybody. There are only two clubs in Europe who have qualified for the Champions League for 17 seasons consecutively.
‘That consistency demands special values inside the club. I work seven days a week because I want to win. It’s difficult. ‘Unfortunately you don’t win on command. Our job is very easy when we win things. When we don’t win, we need some strength to continue to grow.
‘Some clubs haven’t won a trophy for 20 years and they don’t get that question.
‘This is my 14th cup final and I fight very hard to win, doing everything every day of my life to try to win. If I don’t manage to do it, it’s not because of a lack of commitment. I try my best.’

In action: Wenger is also keeping tabs on Manchester City stalwart Micah Richards, who will leave the Etihad

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Arsenal WAGS celebrate Gunners' FA Cup victory following Wembley showdown

Arsenal WAGS were out celebrating Gunners' FA Cup victory on Saturday night.

Having supported their men during the north London club's 3-2 win over Hull at Wembley, the wives and girlfriend's of Arsenal's victorious players posted a number of pictures posing with the famous trophy.

Bacary Sagna's wife Ludivine took to Twitter to show off Arsenal's prized possession and said: 'The cup and I last night.' Thomas Vermaelen's partner Polly Parsons also shared a snap of the night while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny posted a photo to Facebook of himself and other half Marina Luczenko holding the trophy.

Poser: Bacary Sagna's wife Ludivine Sagna posed with the FA Cup after Arsenal's win on Saturday

All smiles: Thomas Vermaelen and his partner Polly Parsons pose with the famous trophy on Saturday night

Proud day: Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and his girlfriend Marina Luczenko celebrate with the Cup (right)

On Sunday, following the club's trophy parade, Ludivine posted a picture of her and Sagna with the trophy and tweeted: 'Mr and Mrs with the Cup'.

The WAGS had attended the Wembley showdown as Arsene Wenger's men ended the club's nine-year trophy drought.

Looking forward to the Cup final on Saturday morning, Sagna's wife posted the first of a series of selfies as she sat upon a white leather poof.

This was followed by a picture of a carefully manicured hand holding an FA Cup ticket for the big game.

Mr and Mrs: Ludivine and Bacary Sagna are all smiles as they pose with the Cup following Sunday's trophy parade

Ludivine was then joined by Mandy Capristo, Mesut Ozil's girlfriend, and their journey to Wembley was captured on Instagram with the accompanying caption: 'On the way to support our men!'.

Mrs Sagna is a regular tweeter of pictures from games, although these could be the last set taken as an Arsenal fan with her husband likely to move away from the Emirates once his contract expires at the end of the season.

The France international has been courted by Manchester City and more recently United after potential new manager Louis van Gaal identified him to provide more competition for the right-back spot at Old Trafford.

Selfie promotion: Bacary Sagna's wife Ludivine poses at her home ahead of the Wembley showdown

Got previous: Ludivine Sagna (L) poses with Claire Koscielny (R) at Arsenal's final league game of the season

Entry: Ludivine Sagna posts a picture of her ticket for Wembley

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ARSENAL reveal Away kit for next season? Tribute to end of Nike partnership after FA Cup Triumph

Arsenal are to create a commemorative shirt following their FA Cup win, celebrating the 20-year partnership with Nike that has come to an end this season.

It is is a patchwork of many different Arsenal kits from years gone by, and will be produced after the ending of their nine-year run without silverware.

The Gunners won the FA Cup on Saturday, coming back from two goals down to beat Hull 3-2 in extra-time. 

Patchwork: Nike are to release an commemorative Arsenal shirt celebrating their 20-year partnership

'Nike has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Arsenal Football Club,' said Marc van Pappelendam, the Vice President of Nike UK & Ireland.
'The kits that Nike has produced for the club over the last twenty years tell a story; a timeline of quality that will be remembered for a long time to come.'

The shirt, which uses the current 2013-14 home kit as its base, incorporates a unique design that is inspired by a selection of iconic Arsenal kits from the past two decades - including the shirt from the 'Invincibles' season, and the red currant shirt that they wore in 2005/06 to bid farewell to Highbury.

A limited amount will also be produced, with individually numbered prints of the shirt being created and sold.

The shirt itself will also be on display at Phenomenal House from May 26-30, then at NikeTown London from May 31, before moving to its permanent home in the Arsenal Football Club Museum from June 30.

Arsenal's partnership with Nike is coming to an end after the club agreed the most lucrative kit contract in British football history with Puma.

They are set to rake in £30million a year over five years from the deal. Topping the £25m deal that Liverpool currently have with the manufacturer Warrior.

Can you spot where each of these kits feature in the new limited edition Arsenal shirt?

Retro: Ian Wright and Ray Parlour celebrating during Arsenal's title winning season in 1997/98

Making an appearance: Arsenal's first home kit worn at the Emirates and their away top from last season

Redcurrant: Robert Pires sporting the shirt that Arsenal wore to say goodbye to Highbury in 2005/06

Home and Away: Legends Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams sporting kits from 1996

And finally: Aaron Ramsey holding the FA Cup trophy in Arsenal's final Nike kit

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Rihanna sets pulses racing with provocative display as Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers reach NBA conference finals

Kevin Durant scored 39 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Los Angeles Clippers and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the third time in four years, but Rihanna stole the show at the Staples Center.
The 26-year-old Barbadian pop star was pictured giving one of her famously raunchy displays as the Thunder's 104-98 win set up a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs on Monday - which key forward Serge Ibaka may miss after picking up a left calf strain.
The Umbrella and Diamonds singer proved a handful - in more ways than one - as she watched the game in an animated matter, grabbing herself provocatively and screaming encouragement.

Provocative: Rihanna was spotted courtside watching the LA Clippers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder

 

Dye-ing to watch the game: The pop star sported a new pink hairstyle at Staples Center

Excited: Rihanna cheered the teams on from the sidelines as the Thunder sealed victory in LA

THURSDAY RESULTS

OKC Thunder 104-98 LA Clippers
(OKlahoma City win series 4-2)
Washington Wizards 80-93 Indiana Pacers
(Indiana win seires 4-2)

For LA, Chris Paul led scoring with 25 points but controversial officiating cost them down the stretch, as a number of calls appeared to go against the Clippers, while Blake Griffin fouled out with 2mins 27s left to play.
Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook added 19 points, though 11 of those came from the free throw line, but it was Durant's show.
After missing his first five shots the lanky small forward caught fire, adding 16 rebounds and five assists to go along with his tally, shooting 5-from-8 from three point range.
Jamal Crawford, who averaged more than 18-points-per-game in the regular season for LA, only scored four.
'Tonight's game is something we've done all year,' said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. 'We've stuck together and found ways to win.'

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Video: Arsenal Dressing Room Celebrations after Winning FA Cup to end Trophy drought

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Arsene Wenger forced to go topless after Arsenal team soak him in beer following thrilling FA Cup final win over Hull City to end 9-Year trophy wait

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger paid tribute to his team after their thrilling FA Cup final win over Hull City but he might not have seen the funny side after having to go topless due to getting soaked in beer.

The Gunners came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with a goal from Aaron Ramsey in extra-time to end their nine-year wait for a trophy.

Hull had earlier stunned the Gunners at a sun-baked Wembley as they went 2-0 up inside eight minutes through James Chester and captain Curtis Davies, who both capitalised on some poor defending from balls into the penalty area.

VIDEO: Scroll down to see Arsenal's FA Cup final dressing room celebrations

Change of outfit: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had to change his shirt after being covered with beer following the FA Cup win

Raising spirits: Wenger is thrown into the air by the Arsenal side after the FA Cup win

Victory salute: Wenger punches the air in celebration after winning the FA Cup

Soaking: Wenger was soaked by his Arsenal players after their FA Cup win over Hull

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Pitbull and JLO release official 2014 World Cup video 'We Are One (Ole Ola)'

American artist Pitbull and pop sensation JLO have released the official Brazil 2014 World Cup video.
The vibrant tune, which is set to be the anthem of the summer, also features Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, who unequivocally steals the show.
The 2010 South Africa World Cup song was made by Shakira and was called Waka Waka.

The official song of the 2014 world Cup in Brazil is a vibrant, lively and colourful

Il Divo bucked the trend of big names producing the World Cup song when Simon Cowell’s smooth operatic pop group made ‘The Time Of Our Lives’ with Toni Braxton in 2006.
Anastacia stole the show in South Korea and Japan 2002 with her hit ‘Boom’.

Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte makes a guest appearance in the video

Jennifer Lopez only had a brief part in the video

Party time: Brazil is the place to be this summer

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Suarez set to spark £100MILLION battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona... and Gerrard will quit England after the World Cup

Real Madrid are poised to start their usual leaking tactics to pile pressure on Liverpool and Luis Suarez.

Madrid, who missed out on the La Liga title but face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final, have a strategy of luring Galacticos by applying constant, but unofficial, ‘come and join us’ messages via the media.

The Spanish daily sports papers tend to be their prime tool. But as this column revealed last week Madrid face a battle not only to persuade Liverpool to sell and Suarez to agree to leave but also head off Barcelona’s interest too.

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Spain-bound? Luis Suarez could spark a £100million bidding war between Barcelona and Real Madrid

That is likely to mean Suarez’s value would rise to the £100million mark. At that level Liverpool might find it hard not to sell.

Despite denials it is still believed there is a release clause figure if Suarez wants to move.

This is likely to become the summer’s big transfer saga, while any real movement will happen after the World Cup.

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Thumbs up: Suarez has been the talisman for Brendan Rodgers' (above) side

Gerrard to bid farewell to England after World Cup

Steven Gerrard is set to quit England after the World Cup - whatever the outcome in Brazil.

The Liverpool midfielder leads Roy Hodgson’s squad into the tournament as skipper and recognises that to play on for the next two years - having just extended his contract to 2016 – he won’t be able to continue at international level. 

Last week Brendan Rodgers backed Gerrard to bounce back from the disappointment of Liverpool’s title failure as they compete in the Champions League for the first time in years.

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Celebration: But Steven Gerrard is ready to call time on his international career after this summer's World Cup

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Leadership: Three Lions captain Gerrard will be 34 after this summer's tournament in Brazil

‘I just think he'll need to assess things after Brazil, as he'll be 34 then,’ the manager said.

‘He's been a brilliant captain for me, a great leader, and a brilliant man. His condition is terrific. But next season, there will be a big demand. If he comes and asks that, I'll give an opinion on it [but] I think it's a decision he has to make.

‘He's a very clear vision of the game, and what he wants to do for Liverpool. He loves playing for England. He'll go and concentrate on England and we'll see what happens after that.’

I understand that Gerrard has already come to the conclusion that the time will be right to call time on England days after this World Cup. Frank Lampard is likely to do the same.

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On his way: Chelsea icon Frank Lampard is also set to call it quits for England after Brazil

I am hearing…

Ravel Morrison would be ready to stay at West Ham if a new manager is appointed.

If Sam Allardyce stays, however, then Morrison will want to move and should he help QPR win their play-off final against Derby he could make a move to Loftus Road permanent. Manchester City are interested but Morrison would be wary of not getting regular football.

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Maverick: And Ravel Morrison's future at West Ham will depend on that of Sam Allardyce

I am also hearing…

Gareth Barry is a target for Tottenham. The central midfielder is out of contract from Manchester City this summer.

But because of a clause in the loan deal that took him to Everton, who want him permanently, he would cost the club £2.5 million.

Despite having sacked Tim Sherwood, Spurs could still take his advice that the 33-year-old is an ideal player to give the team some experience and help emerging younger players through.

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In action: Gareth Barry (right), challenging Jake Livermore, is a summer target for Spurs

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Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden showcases her slender frame in floral trousers as she goes shopping with daughter Hollie

She wows the nation in her trend-setting outfits on Saturday nights.

And Amanda Holden looked every inch the stylish showbiz mum as she spent the day shopping with her daughter, Hollie, on Friday.

The Britian’s Got Talent judge and her two-year-old tot were spotted leaving the Suzanne Neville bridal and occasional wear shop in Central London as Amanda browsed for outfits to wear on the ITV talent competition.

Stylish pair: Amanda Holden looked every inch the stylish showbiz mum as she spent the day shopping with her daughter, Hollie, on Friday

The 43-year-old looked chic in a loose fitting round neck top which she tucked into her pattenred trousers.

She added height with standout heels that featured a rope knot design.

The mother-of two shielded her eyes from the sunshine with aviator shades while her blonde locks were left naturally straight.

Amanda accessorised with a few gold bangles and completed the look with a white manicure.

Looking around: The Britian¿s Got Talent judge and her two-year-old tot were spotted leaving the Suzanne Neville bridal and occasional wear shop in Central London

Mummy's got you: Amanda was seen holding onto her daughter¿s hand as they left the shop before leaning down to carry her tot

 

She was seen holding onto her daughter’s hand as they left the shop before leaning down to carry her tot.

Hollie was looking just a stylish as her mother in s striped playsuit and wore strappy sandals.

Amanda recently revealed that her new fitness regime had helped tone her figure and meant she could chuck her Spanx away.

Trendy: The 43-year-old looked chic in a loose fitting round neck top which she tucked into her patterned trousers

Basking in the sunshine: The mother-of two shielded her eyes from the sunshine with aviator shades while her blonde locks were left naturally straight

Speaking to the Radio Times, she said: ‘I used to be a big fan of Spanx but ditched them two years ago when I started yoga, which has changed my shape.’

As for the teenage body hang-ups that she used to have, Miss Holden, who is now mother to her two daughters, Lexie, eight, and Hollie, two, said: ‘My best friend at school, Vic, had massive boobs and I wished I did.

‘I used to put everything down there – cotton wool, my dad’s socks, the kitchen sink – but now I’m 43 I’m happy because they’re still in the same position, more or less.’

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