William Carvalho and/or James Rodriguez? Manchester United Transfer Speculation

Manchester United transfer speculation on who will join the squad next season under LvG is still running. In a tweet by Man Utd Future (if I was not mistaken) Sporting midfielder William Carvalho transfer to United is about to complete. The club management was sent to Portugal to set legal papers and then announce the deal. One setback to United is the president of Sporting is reluctant to let this player go.

Manchester United transfer speculation is not only on Sporting defender but also to Colombian attacking midfield James Rodriguez.

William Carvalho (green). Mirror

William Carvalho is a defensive midfielder from Sporting Lisbon and he could play as central midfield too. He was called to join Portugal national team by Paulo Bento and he only had two games in World Cup 2014. He do not involved in Portugal first game, but his presence in Portugal line ups next two games bring the team draw with USA and a win against Ghana. If the player join the club it would pleas Luis Nani and I hope could make him settle in United and fix his performance. In the last two seasons personally I feel disappoint with his game and wishing either Sir Alex or David Moyes sells him. Manchester United transfer speculation said Liverpool also have interest to this player. 

guardian

James Rodiguez is Antonio Valencia colleague in Columbia national team. They played together in World Cup 2014 matches and James Rodriguez is a headline all around the world with his goal when Columbia defeat Uruguay 2 goals to nothing. United could have this player for 5million pound from Marseille, but the chance is little. Mirror.co.uk reported that this player wanted to play in Spain instead of English Premier League.

Netherland 2 Mexico 1, Robben Dives Mexico Disaster

I do not watch the World Cup 2014 Netherlands vs Mexico live because of some technical difficulties, but I managed to see the highlight of the game from youtube.com. Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is not the topic right now but his vice captain in Netherland, Arjen Robben did. Mexico lost the match because the attacking winger from Bayern Munich dives in the last minute is the topic of post match. On the other hand, Javier Chicarito Hernandez cannot maintain the moment he had with Mexico.

arjen robben

Netherland vs Mexico a Crucial Moment

I kinda feel sorry for tricolor squad but they also have crucial mistake against the dutch. Mexico could have won their ticket to the next round if they did focus until the last minute of the game. Losing your focus before the reff blows his whistle to signal the end of the game can cause you great lost.
For example Bayern Munich in 1998/1999 Champions League final. Manchester United secured treble winner in 1998/1999 by defeating Bayern Munich when two of Beckham's corners could create goals from Ole Gunnar Solsjaer and Teddy Sheringham. Watch closely how Bayern Munich defender, Samuel Kuffor did not mark Ole Solksjaer and Teddy Sheringham as he marked Andrew Cole/Dwight Yorke before. Ole and Teddy punished Bayern Munich for their defender mistakes. Two goals in two minute drama of Nou Camp.

This is what happen in Mexico as I read the news after Netherland vs Mexico game, they let their mind off somewhere else while they lead one goal. The Netherlands playmaker Wesley Snijder take the chance to equalize for Netherlands. He whose always forced by Mexico player to play in the middle of the pitch was unmarked and unleash strong volley which Mexico Guilermo Ochoa cannot anticipate. Ochoa as I post previously is not an ordinary goal keeper, he was the best goalkeeper in this tournament in my opinion.  Reflecting from this Netherland vs Mexico match I recommend Manchester United new manager Louis van Gaal and assistant manager Ryan Giggs should pay attention of this for Manchester United campaign next season. Never let the players on the field loose their focus to the game until the referee blows his whistle to signal the game is over.

Another example of getting scored in the crucial last minute was USA soccer team whose finally getting a 2-2 draws against Portugal in the second group phase. USA soccer team get their lead after Clint Dempsey bizarre goal but instead focusing on defending the players expecting the reff to blow his whistle while Portugal and his superstar Cristiano Ronaldo keep attacking from the right and left wings. The waves of cross and penetration each by Cristiano Ronaldo in the left and Luis Nani finally pays up in the additional time. Cristiano Ronaldo's crossed from the right (after the former Manchester United winger exchange side with Nani) finally met the head of Portugal striker and the ball meet the nett unexpectedly. Tim Howard (who also the ex manchester united goalkeeper) could only see the ball without any reaction to stop the header.

Netherlands vs Mexico, Sneijder Momentum and Robben Incident

Lets go back to the Netherlands vs Mexico game. When Wesley Sneijder equalizes for the dutch, each team goes for play to their best. However Mexico lost their momentum of the game while Netherlands in the other hand gain theirs. Arjen Robben became more motivated his penetration from the right wing force Rafa Marquez to tackle the Bayern Munich player. That is how Robben come up with the idea of diving inside the penalty box. As I see in the replay indeed Robben's feet was tackled by Mexican central defender but the the collision was not that bad. Marquez missed the ball but it just so little but Robben's trick made the referee points the penalty spot and Robin van Persie subtitute Jan Klass Huntelar do his job perfectly by sending Ochoa to the wrong side of the goal.

Different Stories of Ex Manchester United Players in The Last Group Stage

There are two ironies in this World Cup 2014 as I could take it to history of World Cup tournament. First the story of goalkeepers and now the story of ex Manchester United players who are the key member of their squad in World Cup campaign. The first notable ex player of Manchester United is Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Portugal and their ace attacker and the second one is Tim Howard, former goalkeeper.

Ex Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo must be very upset this day although Portugal won the last group game against Ghana, Portugal cannot continue their World Cup 2014 journey. Lost to Germany and a draw against United States of America were not their campaign plan in Brazil. Portugal and Ronaldo is expected to qualify to the next round. Portugal is considered the better side if being compared with The Yankees. Luis Nani who played for Manchester United, Pepe who played for Real Madrid, and other player who played in the biggest league in Europe should not get this result.

CR7 Battling for the ball

Portugal adding to other European nation who exit the tournament early. England with Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard knocked off from quadrennial tournament in worse result; one draw with Costa Rica and two loses against Italy and Uruguay. Spain the Champion also started the tournament unconvincingly. They lost two games (against Netherlands, and Chile) but Spain prove they quality in the last game against Australia by winning the game 3-0. Italy shocked the soccer fans around the world with their defeat by Costa Rica. 

Is European really cannot compete when the World Cup is outside their continents?

Back to our topic about two ex Manchester United who had different luck in World Cup 2014. Tim Howard and the yankees are through to the knock out stage even tough they lost to Germany. America is not like the European team as I said before. Soccer is not their tradition. However they have quality of players who are playing with the best team in European league. Tim Howard recently played for Everton, London Donovan played for Totenham Hotspurs, Clint Dempsey is also play in English Premier League. Tim Howard made five saves in the match but Thomas Muller goal denied USA struggle for draw in rainy match.

Tim Howard action saves / nytimes

Tim Howard and USA squad progressing to Knockout Round with one win, one draw, and one lost. 

How does this two countries could turn around prediction of millions of soccer fans around the world? Does those countries cannot adapt to Brazil climate? or the statement of European cannot win the World Cup outside their continent is truly a true statement?