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Watch out, Premier League. Make it 12 times that De Bruyne has set up Haaland for a goal since they started playing together at the beginning of last season following the striker's move to England. No other Premier League partnership has delivered that many goals in this period. Vincent Kompany, the Man City great in charge of Burnley, couldn't do his old club a favor. In other results, Fulham beat Bournemouth 3-1, Ivan Toney scored again as Brentford won 2-0 at Wolverhampton and last-place Sheffield United won for just the third time this season, 3-1 at relegation rival Luton.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne —, —, Bruyne, pouncing, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez —, Mohamed Salah, Vincent Kompany, couldn't, Trent Alexander, Arnold, Son Heung, Brennan Johnson, Ivan Toney, ___ Steve Douglas Organizations: Premier League, Manchester, Everton, Liverpool, Burnley, Anfield, Arsenal, Asian, Tottenham, Brighton, Fulham, Bournemouth, Brentford, Wolverhampton, Sheffield United, Luton Locations: England, Haaland, Liverpool, Burnley, South Korea, ___

☆ Manchester City report record profits to match best season on pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The 2022-23 season saw Manchester City scale new heights and set new benchmarks," City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said in a statement. "In short, last season saw Manchester City achieve the greatest football and commercial year of its storied history." Commercial revenues accounted for 341.4 million pounds, followed by broadcast at 299.4 million and then matchday at 71.9 million, for a profit of 80.4 million, nearly doubling the previous year's record profit of 41.7 million pounds. Profits also benefited from significant player trading with 121.7 million pounds generated from transfers, up a significant 79.8% over the previous 12 months. On the pitch, manager Pep Guardiola guided City to a third successive Premier League title, an enthralling 2-1 FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester United, and a first ever Champions League title.

Persons: Lee Smith, Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Pep Guardiola, Lori Ewing, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, Rights, Manchester City FC Ltd, Broadcasting, Champions League, FA, City, Brand Finance, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Deloitte Football Money League, soccer, Real, Club, Super League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Rights MANCHESTER, England, Real Madrid

☆ Man City 84% likely to win Premier League, predict Opta
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with team mates after winning the Premier League Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City have one Premier League point less than they had after 12 games last season but according to data analysts Opta are overwhelming favourites to claim a fourth successive title. City, according to Opta Analyst, have an 84.6% probability of lifting the trophy again with Liverpool given only a 9.1% chance and last season's runners-up Arsenal on 5.6%. Back-to-back defeats for Tottenham Hotspur mean that, according to Opta, their title hopes are virtually non-existent at 0.3%, the same as Aston Villa. Manchester United, currently in sixth place, are predicted to finish seventh and only have a 5.9% chance of finishing in the top four, although that has risen slightly of late. Newcastle United have a 25% chance of a second-successive top-four finish while Chelsea are predicted to finish ninth.

Persons: Lee Smith, Pep, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Chelsea, Etihad, Premier, League, Burnley, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa . Manchester United, Newcastle United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, City

☆ Sterling misses out on England selection again
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling was again left out by England manager Gareth Southgate as he named his squad for the forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. Sterling, who has earned 82 caps for his country and was once a key part of Southgate's forward line, has now missed five successive England squads. Despite Southgate saying the door remains open, time is clearly running out for Sterling to force his way back into the reckoning for the Euro 2024 finals. Manchester City's John Stones misses out because of injury while Chelsea's Reece James is also not included despite recently returning from a lengthy injury lay-off. "I'm super excited about the tournament, we're really gearing towards the next tournament and I think everybody in international football is always living from tournament to tournament.

Persons: Raheem Sterling, Gareth Southgate, Sterling, Southgate, Raheem, we've, Eddie Nketiah, Callum Wilson, Aston, Ollie Watkins, Manchester City's John Stones, Chelsea's Reece James, Reece James, that's, Sam Allardyce's, Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Levi Colwill, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Fikayo, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander, Arnold, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, James Maddison, Marcus Rashford, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Chelsea, Malta, Italy, Newcastle United, Manchester, Wembley, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United, Milan, Manchester City, West Ham United, Bayern, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Thomson Locations: England, North Macedonia, France, Germany, Malta, Crystal, Everton, Chelsea, Manchester, Liverpool, Real Madrid, West, Bayern Munich

☆ Manchester United and City suffer losses on day of surprises in the Premier League
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Manchester United’s terrible start to the season continued Saturday as Erik ten Hag’s team fell to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the English Premier League. The defeat to London-based Palace was United’s second successive home defeat and fourth in seven league games, leaving Ten Hag’s team 10th in the league on nine points. It is United’s worst start to a Premier League season after seven games – and the club’s worst in the top-flight since the 1989-90 season, according to Reuters. City had won every league game this season and was expected to beat a Wolves team which had won just once in the league. But Pep Guardiola not only suffered a first league loss of the campaign but the second of the week, following the League Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday.

Persons: Erik, Joachim Andersen’s, Michael Regan, Pep Guardiola, “, ”, Guardiola, Rúben Dias, Julian Álvarez’s, Hwang Hee, chan Organizations: CNN, Manchester, Crystal, English Premier League, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Premier League, Reuters, League, United, Wolves, Newcastle, Molineux Locations: London, Old Trafford, Manchester

☆ Sesko double helps holders Leipzig beat second-tier Wiesbaden 3-2
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WIESBADEN, Germany, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Holders RB Leipzig were made to work hard and needed two goals from striker Benjamin Sesko to secure a 3-2 win over second division club Wehen Wiesbaden on Wednesday and a spot in the German Cup second round. But Ivan Prtajin's chip in the 41st got the hosts back in the match with their first chance of the game. Sesko, who also hit the woodwork late in the game, made it 3-1 in the 70th, before Prtajin scored again, but the visitors held on to win despite some late pressure from Wiesbaden. The Saxony club have won the last two editions of the German Cup and have played in the last three finals. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benjamin Sesko, Emil Forsberg's, Sesko, Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Ivan Prtajin's, Prtajin, Karolos, Toby Davis Organizations: Leipzig, Wehen Wiesbaden, Manchester City, Champions League, Manchester, German, Thomson Locations: WIESBADEN, Germany, Leipzig, Wiesbaden, Saxony

☆ Silva latest to join Man City's growing injury list
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Silva was forced off before halftime of City's 3-1 home win over the Serbian side in their Champions League group opener on Tuesday. Guardiola said Grealish (thigh injury) has trained and could play a few minutes while Kovacic (back) is still on the mend. "He always has good behaviour, when he's playing or not playing, being a world champion or not. Right now with the injuries, he's had minutes and he gives us a lot of good things. That's why he's playing, but he has to continue."

Persons: Bernardo Silva, Manchester City's, Pep Guardiola, Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Jack Grealish, Guardiola, We've, it's, Jack, Julian Alvarez, It's, he's, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Manchester, Champions League, Red Star Belgrade, Serbian, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Bengaluru

☆ Messi, Mbappe and Haaland among FIFA Best award nominees, Bonmati on women's list
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUDAPEST, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are on the short-list for The Best FIFA Men's Player Award, while Spain's Aitana Bonmati is among the nominees for the Best Women's Player on the back of winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup. Half of the dozen nominees in the men's category were part of Manchester City's 2022-23 treble-winning squad, while City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola is nominated for Best Men's Coach. Spain's World Cup win sees four of their players among the 16 nominees for the women's award. World Cup runners-up England have four players on the list, with Sarina Wiegman up for the women's coaching award, while Australia have three players. World Cup winners Messi of Argentina and Spain's Alexia Putellas are the current holders of the top player awards.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Spain's, Pep Guardiola, Sarina, Spain's Alexia Putellas, Mia Hamm, Didier Drogba, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: FIFA, Messi, Argentina, FIFA.com, National, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Manchester, Spanish, Australia

☆ City's Haaland, Spurs' Son score hat-tricks, Chelsea lose to Forest
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Haaland, who scored four league hat-tricks in a record-shattering first season with City, is already in the groove and his triple against Fulham took his season's goal tally to six. Good start to the season," Haaland said. With manager Pep Guardiola absent following back surgery City took a while to get going against Fulham. Haaland set up the opener for Alvarez but Fulham levelled soon after through Ream who was left unmarked. SON HAT-TRICKTottenham's strong start to the league campaign continued at Burnley with Son scoring his fourth Premier League hat-trick although they had to come from behind.

Persons: Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland, Molly Darlington, Burnley Brighton's Ferguson, Erling Haaland, Son Heung, Evan Ferguson, Julian Alvarez, Nathan Ake, Tim Ream, Haaland, Mauricio Pochettino, Anthony Elanga, Ferguson, Andy Cole, Pep Guardiola, City, Alvarez, Manuel Akanji, Marco Silva, Issa Diop, Sergio Gomez, Son, Lyle Foster, Cristian Romero, James Maddison, Ange Postecoglou's, Postecoglou, Todd Boehly, Forest's Elanga, Chelsea, We're, Pochettino, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Cameron Archer, Jordan Pickford's, Arnaut Danjuma, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester City, Fulham, Etihad, Fulham Son, Tottenham, Burnley, Newcastle Chelsea, Forest, Premier, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, City, Spurs, Turf Moor, West Ham United, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Sheffield United, Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton's, Newcastle, Seagulls, Chelsea, Clearlake Capital, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, City, Ream, Norwegian

☆ Haaland wins UEFA award, Wiegman dedicates prize to Spain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Wiegman dedicated her award to the Spain women's team after the kiss incident involving federation president Luis Rubiales took the spotlight when Spain secured their first Women's World Cup title. "I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team - the tam that played in a World Cup such great football that everyone enjoys. World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati, who helped Barcelona to Women's Champions League and Spanish league title, won the women's player of the year award. The 25-year-old registered a competition-high 13 goal contributions in the Champions League with five goals and eight assists. "We have just won the World Cup, but they are talking about other things."

Persons: Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland, Massimo Pinca, Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, Aitana Bonmati, Sarina Wiegman, Kevin De Bruyne, Lionel Messi, Guardiola, Luciano Spalletti, Napoli, Simone Inzaghi, Wiegman, Luis Rubiales, there's, Sarina, Bonmati, Anita Kobylinska, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Monaco, FC Barcelona's Aitana, Rights, Manchester City, UEFA, City, Champions League, English Premier League, FA, Association, Serie, Inter, SPAIN England, Brazil, Wembley, Spain women's, Spanish, Women's Champions League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Spanish, Norwegian, Monaco, Inter Milan, SPAIN, Spain, Barcelona, Gdansk

☆ Mutineers silent as Spain enjoy Women's World Cup triumph
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Twelve of the 15 players who took part in the mutiny and ended up not making Spain's World Cup squad decided to stay silent, giving no interviews and making no mention of the Women's World Cup on their personal social media accounts. The 15 e-mails from 15 players sent to RFEF President Luis Rubiales demanded radical changes in the team's structure. PLAYERS SILENTReuters tried to contact the players through their agents, who said they will remain silent. However, Spanish agent Carlota Planas, who represents world champions Mariona Caldentey, Cata Coll and four of the players who were left behind -- Pina, Guijarro, Lola Gallardo and Leila Aouhabi -- told Reuters the revolt played a major role in Spain's World Cup success. "Without them and their bravery, surely the RFEF would not have even considered making any improvements at all," Planas said.

Persons: Spain's Misa Rodriguez, Juan Medina, Spain's, Jorge Vilda, Luis Rubiales, Ona, Mariona, Aitana Bonmati, Sandra Panos, Patri, Mapi Leon, Claudia Pina, Carlota Planas, Mariona Caldentey, Cata Coll, Pina, Guijarro, Lola Gallardo, Leila Aouhabi, Planas, Marta Diaz, Manchester United's Lucia Garcia, Diaz, Fernando Kallas, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Rights, La Roja, England, Spanish FA, World, League, Reuters, BePlayer Agency, Manchester, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Spain, Madrid, Sydney, Spanish

☆ Man City sink Sevilla in shootout to win first Super Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - UEFA Super Cup - Manchester City v Sevilla - Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, Greece - August 16, 2023 Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips and Erling Braut Haaland celebrate with their medals after winning the UEFA Super Cup REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Acquire Licensing RightsATHENS, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Manchester City held their nerve to beat Sevilla 5-4 on penalties and win the UEFA Super Cup for the first time in their history after an enthralling game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. Youssef En-Nesyri had given Europa League winners Sevilla the lead with a towering header in the 25th minute but City equalised through a header from 21-year-old Cole Palmer in the 63rd minute. Sevilla made last season's Champions League winners uncomfortable with aggressive high pressing and En-Nesyri wasted several opportunities before he scored following a counter-attack. Sevilla started the second half strongly, however, and En- Nesyri missed a sitter following a brilliant counter-attack led by Lucas Ocampos. We have to be more clinical but we got the job done," City captain Walker told TNT Sports.

Persons: Georgios Karaiskakis, Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips, Erling Braut Haaland, Stoyan, Nemanja Gudelj, Youssef En, Nesyri, Cole Palmer, Sevilla, Marcos Acuna, Nathan Ake, Josko, Ederson, Erik Lamela, Erling Haaland, Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Lucas Ocampos, Rodri, Palmer, Yassine Bounou, Bounou, Kyle Walker's, Gudelj, Walker, Pep, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA, Manchester City, Sevilla, UEFA Super, REUTERS, Rights, City, Arsenal, Europa League, Georgios, League, TNT Sports, Thomson Locations: Athens, Greece, Manchester, Serbian, Morocco, Madrid

☆ Saudi soccer league lures Brazilian star Neymar as it seeks to attract 'exceptional players only'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Saudi Arabia also recruited soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and it's expected to bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with the jersey after signing with Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr Football Club in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 30, 2022. Sports analysts are doubtful that Saudi Arabia will see its ambitions to have a top soccer league realized, even with all the money it can offer to top-tier players. Charles Laberge | LIV Golf | Getty ImagesOther criticism comes from an attitude among many that a Saudi league could never be a serious arena for athletes. Emenalo, himself a former defender for Nigeria's national soccer team and former technical director at English club team Chelsea, called the criticisms "outrageous."

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, Jean Catuffe, Neymar, Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kalidou, Lyon's Moussa Dembele, Michael Emenalo, Saudi Arabia's, Al, Hilal, Kylian Mbappé, LIV, shockwaves, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Captain Brooks Koepka, Ricky Elliott, Charles Laberge, LIV Golf, Emenalo, it's, Khalid Al, Falih, that's Organizations: PSG, UEFA Champions League, Celtic Glasgow, Paris Saint Germain, Celtic Park, Getty, Getty Images, Saudi, Al, Paris Saint, Brazil national, L'Equipe, Manchester, Saudi Pro League, Nassr Football Club, Al Nassr Football, Anadolu Agency, France national, Sports, American PGA Tour, Saudi Crown, CNBC, Royal Greens, & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic, Nigeria's, soccer team, Chelsea, Saudi League, Guardian, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund Locations: Getty Images Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Barcelona, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Europe, Jeddah, King Abdullah, King Abdullah Economic City

☆ Arsenal in better position than City, says Guardiola ahead of Community Shield
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

City, who won their first Champions League title in June, will kick off their 2023-24 season against runners-up Arsenal on Sunday in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season. "The situation that we are in, we finished (last season) two weeks later than Arsenal and we start (this season) two weeks later. Arsenal have bought a really good player," Guardiola said. Guardiola reiterated his desire to keep England defender Kyle Walker, who has a year left on his City contract, amid interest from German giants Bayern Munich. Guardiola said Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol, who is set to join City from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, is undergoing his medical test.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish, Kim Kyung, Mikel Arteta's, Guardiola, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Rice, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, Kyle, Bernardo, Silva, Josko Gvardiol, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Yokohama F Marinos, Manchester City, Japan, Manchester, Arsenal, Community, City, Champions League, FA, Premier League, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, West Ham United, Chelsea, Ajax Amsterdam, England, Bayern Munich, LaLiga, Barcelona, Croatia, Bundesliga, RB Leipzig, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, London, West, Portuguese, Bengaluru

☆ Fuelled by Rice, Arsenal ready for next step in title race
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Those three signings were all completed early in the close4 season meaning Arsenal should be ready to hit the ground running when they kick off at home to Nottingham Forest next Saturday. While Rice's price tag appears over-inflated, he looks capable of giving Arsenal the drive their midfield began to lack in the closing months of the campaign. Timber offers the sort of defensive depth Arsenal sadly lacked after France's William Saliba was injured in March. "The players will have learned a hell of a lot with that title run, and this year is about going that one step ahead. ($1 = 0.7843 pounds)($1 = 0.9112 euros)Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Arsenal's Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Peter Cziborra, Mikel Arteta's, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Havertz, Mikel Arteta, Granit Xhaka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Rice, Arsenal's, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Arsenal, AS Monaco, Emirates, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Manchester City's, Premier League, City . Arsenal, West Ham United, Ajax Amsterdam, Nottingham Forest, Bayer Leverkusen, Timber, City, Barcelona, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, West, Chelsea, Arsenal's, California

☆ Relentless Man City seek record four titles in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

However, such is the nature of the Premier League that City will certainly not have everything their own way. Juergen Klopp's side's failure to qualify for the Champions League would have stung, especially with Manchester United finishing eight points above them. Newcastle United, who finished fourth last term, will be determined to prove it was no flash in the pan, although they will need to juggle the demands of battling for a top-four finish with the Champions League this time. The additions of winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester City and Sandro Tonali from Milan will certainly help. Postecoglou is the first Australian to manage in the Premier League and faces a big challenge at the north London club who endured a toxic 2022-23 campaign under Antonio Conte.

Persons: Phil Foden, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, pacesetters, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic, Declan Rice, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Juergen, Erik ten Hag, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali, Ange Postecoglou, Antonio Conte, Harry Kane, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, FA, Premier League, Manchester United's, League, Inter Milan, pacesetters Arsenal, City, Arsenal, Etihad, LIVERPOOL Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Luton Town's, Luton, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Manchester City, Abu Dhabi, Spanish, Istanbul, Barcelona, Al, Ahli, Saudi Arabia, City, Milan, Postecoglou, London, Fulham

☆ Flush with cash, the Middle East is ramping up investment in soccer as a soft power push
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Michael Considine | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Manchester City's victory in the UEFA Champions League final over Inter Milan was historic for a number of reasons. Manchester City's win, heavily backed by UAE money, comes as Saudi Arabia and Qatar look to ramp up their investment in the sport. The UAE's Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008 and has since proceeded to spend more on transfers than any other club in world soccer. The scale of the investment has attracted criticism, with human rights group Amnesty International saying the UAE's spending amounts to one of soccer's "most brazen attempts to 'sportswash' a country's deeply tarnished image." "But in terms of soft power, image reputation, nation branding, I think it's significant as well."

Persons: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Mohammed bin Zayed, Sheikh Mansour, it's, Simon Chadwick, CNBC's Organizations: Manchester, UEFA Champions League, Inter Milan, English Premier League, soccer, United Arab Emirates, Manchester City's, Manchester United, Amnesty, CNBC, Manchester City, Skema Business School Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

☆ Manchester City dance in the rain to celebrate treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Manchester City Victory Parade - Manchester, Britain - June 12, 2023 Manchester City's John Stones is pictured holding the Champions League trophy alongside Erling Braut Haaland and teammates during the parade REUTERS/Phil NobleJune 12 (Reuters) - Even a thunderstorm could not dent Manchester City's rousing victory parade on Monday as the players and manager Pep Guardiola celebrated completing the long-awaited treble after winning the Champions League trophy over the weekend. The blue side of Manchester were all euphoric as the team and fans also celebrated becoming only the second English club to win the treble, equalling the 1999 milestone of their fierce rivals Manchester United. "What a parade, what an afternoon, it had to be the best parade with this rain, otherwise is not Manchester. We don't want sunshine," said Premier League manager of the year Guardiola in front of thousands of fans. As the players left the stage, the celebrations seemed far from over for the City fans who were ready to party on long into the night.

Persons: John Stones, Erling Braut Haaland, Phil Noble, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, I've, Kalvin Phillips, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester, Victory, Champions League, League, City, FA Cup, Premier League, Inter Milan, European, Manchester United, United, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Mexico City

☆ Manchester City's Rodri named Champions League Player of the Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the Champions League's Player of the Season by UEFA on Sunday after a stellar 2022-23 campaign. Rodri appeared in all but one of City's Champions League matches, scoring twice. Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the Champions League's Young Player of the Season, capping a remarkable campaign for the 22-year-old Georgian. Kvaratskhelia won the league title with Napoli and also claimed Serie A's Player of the Season award earlier this month. Team of the season:Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)Defenders: Kyle Walker (Man City), Ruben Dias (Man City), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Federico Dimarco (Inter)Midfielders: John Stones (Man City), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Rodri (Man City)Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Man City), Erling Haaland (Man City), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rodri, Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kvaratskhelia, Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis Organizations: Manchester City, UEFA, Spain international, City, Inter Milan, City's Champions League, Napoli, Inter, Midfielders, Real, Thomson Locations: Saturday's, Real Madrid, Man, Gdansk

☆ Latest 'deadline' looms in Man Utd takeover saga
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) - Manchester United fans can be forgiven if they refrain from eagerly checking the news on Friday as the latest "deadline" looms in the meandering seven-month saga of the club's sale that is beginning to resemble the final series of TV's Succession. That comes two months after a "third and final offer" was said to have been tabled. Media reports in the UK suggested that the Glazers are seeking six billion pounds ($7.5 billion), which would be a world record for any sports club or franchise, but that neither bid is that high. Further bids followed, up to the Qatari's earlier this week, which is said to include clearing nearly a billion pounds of club debt and a commitment to a major redevelopment of Old Trafford. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jassim bin Hamad, Briton Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim, Glazer, Todd, Ratcliffe, Joel, Avram Glazer, Glazers, Erik ten Hag, United's, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: Manchester United, Daily Mail, Reuters, Guardian, United, Media, Premier League club Chelsea, Washington Commanders NFL, Raine Group, Ineos Grenadiers, Britain's Times, Group, Champions League, Manchester, Inter Milan, Premier League, FA Cup, Thomson Locations: Thani, Briton, Qatar, Old Trafford, Old Trafford . Manchester, France, Switzerland

☆ Rodri says he is playing his best as Man City eye European glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rodri joined City in 2019 from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around 50 million pounds ($62.1 million) and has won three top-flight titles. "I feel in the best moment - physically, mentally, the way I understand the game," Rodri told reporters after they beat United 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Rodri said that City have "tried to learn a lot from the past" after coming closer to European glory in the past seasons. City featured in the 2020-21 Champions League final, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in Porto. But City are now the favourites to beat Inter after winning their fifth Premier League title in six seasons last month.

Persons: Carl Recine, City's Rodri, Rodri, It's, Pep, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Stephen Coates Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Wembley, Manchester City's, FA, REUTERS, Premier League, Inter Milan, Saturday's Champions League, Inter, Manchester United's, City, Atletico Madrid, League, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Manchester, Spanish, Istanbul, Porto, Europe, Bengaluru

☆ Man City celebrate Premier League title with 1-0 win over Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/8] Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Chelsea - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 21, 2023 Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates... Read moreMANCHESTER, England, May 21 (Reuters) - Manchester City celebrated their Premier League title success on Sunday, beating Chelsea 1-0 with an early goal by Julian Alvarez in the team's home finale at a sun-drenched Etihad Stadium. Treble-chasing City, who wrapped up the title when second-placed Arsenal were beaten at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, have won 12 successive games in the top flight. City have 88 points from 36 matches, seven more than Arsenal who have just one match remaining. Haaland had been a late substitute and did not extend his record of 36 goals in a single Premier League season. "I feel a special connection with the fans... 36 goals, Premier League trophy, debut season, two finals left, not a bad start."

☆ Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side lays claim to being Premier League's greatest ever team
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When all is said and done, it is looking increasingly likely that this iteration of Manchester City will go down as the greatest team in Premier League history. A 'Premier League Champions' banner is revealed outside Manchester City's stadium on Saturday. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesIndeed, defender Rúben Dias recently called Guardiola the “main piece” of this City team. Back in February, the Premier League accused Manchester City of more than 100 breaches of the league’s finance rules and referred the club to an independent commission. The Premier League told CNN it had no comment to make on the issue, while Rosen said he wasn’t taking press inquiries.

☆ Arsenal hopes crushed by Brighton as Man City on the brink of title
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With relentless Manchester City winning at Everton in the earlier kickoff to move four points clear, long-time league leaders Arsenal knew only a victory would suffice. The result also moved Brighton up to sixth place with games in hand on the teams around them. City could even secure it before that if Arsenal lose against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. I don't think City are going to do too many mistakes now," Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said. And there was a lethargy about Arsenal's play as Brighton sucked the life out of them with their measured passing game.

☆ Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti aggrieved by 'small details' in Manchester City's Champions League goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was left to rue the “small details” after the ball appeared to leave the field of play in the buildup to Manchester City’s equalizer in the teams’ Champions League semifinal. The ball was subsequently recovered by Madrid defender Eduardo Camavinga, who then lost possession with a stray pass in the lead up to De Bruyne’s goal. Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesDe Bruyne’s goal canceled out Vinícius Jr’s stunning opener for Real Madrid – a right-footed rocket from outside the Man City box. Writing on Twitter, Haaland, a former Man City player, said Madrid fans were “not happy” with him for celebrating De Bruyne’s goal. All happy.”Madrid next faces Getafe in La Liga on Saturday, while Man City plays Everton on Sunday.

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