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Midday Ticker: Van Gaal blames U.S. trip for Manchester United’s poor start; Bale fit for Real Madrid; and more

LouisVanGaalManUnited1-CrystalPalace2014EPL (Getty)

By MATT STYPULKOSKI

Manchester United is set for a preseason return to the United States this summer, but manager Louis van Gaal is blaming his team’s poor start to this season on last year’s trip.

Van Gaal’s squad played International Champions Cup matches in Los Angeles, Denver, Washington D.C., Ann Arbor and Miami during 2014. Now, he’s pointing to that extended schedule with difficult cross-country travel as a reason why Manchester United fell out of the English Premier League’s title race.

This summer, when United returns to the States, the club will play just three matches. Those friendlies will be spread across Seattle, Santa Clara and Chicago, which should involve significantly less travel than this past summer.

“They have adapted to my criteria, so we shall have a better preparation,” van Gaal said. “We have started very badly this year. When you cut out the start we shall equal Chelsea but we have to start better. When I previewed our preparation now it looks better, but we have to see of course.”

Here are some more of Friday afternoon’s news and notes:

BALE BACK TO FITNESS FOR REAL MADRID

Real Madrid’s title hopes received a boost on Friday with word that Gareth Bale will be available for this weekend’s clash with Sevilla.

The Spanish giants currently sit two points behind league-leading Barcelona with four matches to play and have been hit hard by injuries in past weeks. The absence of Bale, in addition to Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, has had Real Madrid at less than its best.

But the Welshman returned to training on Thursday and manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that he’ll be recovered enough from a calf injury, which cost him 10 days on the sideline, to return for Saturday’s match.

“Gareth Bale has trained with the team, he is fine,” Ancelotti said. “He has another session to go. I believe he will be ready for tomorrow. Gareth’s return will help us — he might be fresher than other players as he has rested. That could be very important at this stage of the season.”

LEWANDOWSKI’S STATUS UNSURE FOR BARCELONA MATCH

Following a nasty midweek collision in the DFB-Pokal, Robert Lewandowski is considered a game-time decision for the first leg of Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal with Barcelona.

Lewandowski suffered a concussion and facial fractures after coming together with Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak in Bayern’s midweek defeat. As a result, Pep Guardiola has been left waiting on medical instructions to see if his striker can play.

“We will see his condition on Monday, Tuesday,” Guardiola said. He added: “the doctor is the chief.”

Bayern also lost Arjen Robben to injury for the remainder of the season during the cup match against Dortmund, and Franck Ribery is still sidelined with an ankle injury that popped up in March, leaving the German giants potentially shorthanded for the matchup with Barcelona.

MANCHESTER UNITED RETURN ROONEY FOR WEEKEND

Despite being subbed off late on in last weekend’s match against Everton, Wayne Rooney will be ready to go against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The concern with Rooney surrounded a possible knee injury, but the knock turned out to be minor, which will allow the Manchester United captain to get back in the squad this weekend.

Phil Jones will also be available for United this weekend, but Luke Shaw will remain on the shelf with a groin injury.

QUICK KICKS

– Manchester United is trying to avoid a bidding war for Hugo Lloris. (REPORT)

– David Beckham should never be knighted, according to a poll. (REPORT)

– Diego Simeone says Fernando Torres has had a fantastic attitude since joining Atletico Madrid. (REPORT)

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What do you make of van Gaal’s comments? Will Bale help Real Madrid win La Liga? Can Bayern beat Barcelona with its injury issues?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Sorry, no tears for MU or Van Gaal.

    Apathetically yours,

    MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, USMNT in Brazil, All circus Clowns

    Reply
  2. ManU coach, I have JUST THE SOLUTION for you in regards your whining about soccer in the US.

    It is an easy one, see if you can guess it.

    Reply
  3. Good ole Soccer United Marketing and their “international tournament” money making schemes. Screwing up English soccer now, too.

    Reply
    • English soccer has been screwed up for awhile, demonstrated by the fact that there are no English teams left in either Champions League or Europa.

      Reply
  4. So, if LVG is blaming Man U’s poor start to all the “travel” they had to do in the US, then I guess that means it is tougher to play a full season in MLS than in the Premiership?! Maybe?!

    Reply

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