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The Gunners lead the Premier League sides making an appearance at the biennial pre-season tournament, which will be staged in Singapore for the country's 50th birthday celebrations
Arsenal, Everton and Stoke City will head to Singapore in July as they look to compete for the Asia Trophy.
The biennial pre-season tournament, which started in 2003, is being hosted in Singapore for the first time - with Arsenal and Stoke making their first appearances.
A Singapore Select XI will also compete at the National Stadium, with matches to be played on July 15 and 18.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said that he was happy to see the event heading to Singapore.
"We are very excited to bring the Barclays Asia Trophy to Singapore for the first time," he enthused.
"We know Singaporeans love their football and that they are huge fans of the Barclays Premier League.
"Our aim is to put on a tournament worthy of Singapore's 50th birthday celebrations and for that we have three teams who epitomise the best of our league.
"Arsenal have always been one of the most thrilling teams in the Barclays Premier League: they have some wonderful players and I'm sure they'll delight their many fans from across Southeast Asia.
"Everton under Roberto Martinez continue to play an exciting brand of football, while Stoke City mix flair with a never-say-die attitude.
"Fans in Singapore should expect our most competitive ever Barclays Asia Trophy."
The vice-captain is expected to take over from Steven Gerrard once the current skipper joins LA Galaxy in the summer, but the midfielder feels there are many worthy candidates
Jordan Henderson is not convinced he will necessarily succeed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain next season.
Gerrard is set to depart for MLS club LA Galaxy at the end of the campaign, and vice-captain Henderson has assumed the skipper's armband at times this season when his team-mate has been out injured.
"Next season we'll see what happens because it might not be me succeeding Stevie, it might be someone else," Henderson told the official club magazine.
"There are a lot of strong leaders in the dressing room. There are a lot of big characters in the team - down to earth, humble people.
"Mama [Sakho], Emre [Can] and Skrts [Martin Skrtel] have developed a strong collective understanding. You can see their passion, they're desperate to win, they give everything.
"Studge [Daniel Sturridge] is a big character. Lucas [Leiva] is too. I can only do the current job the best I can."
Brendan Rodgers' men remain in contention for a top-four finish despite a dismal start to their Premier League campaign - having run Manchester City close for the title last term.
"The thing I've probably learnt most from Stevie is the way he overcomes the disappointments. I think that defines you more than anything," Henderson added.
"I can relate to it. If I look back to my first season here, it wasn't easy. But it made me stronger.
"I always think of losing the FA Cup [final to Chelsea in 2012] rather than winning the League Cup. Setbacks like that inspire you to want more - to progress and to win."
Mourinho: I would never have let Matic leave Chelsea
By Chris Davie
Mar 11, 2015 11:01:00
The 26-year-old Serbian midfielder moved to Benfica in 2011 but returned to Stamford Bridge in a €25 million deal which the Portuguese describes as a "brave" move
Jose Mourinho insists that he would not have allowed Nemanja Matic to leave for Benfica if he had been Chelsea manager at the time.
The 26-year-old joined the Portuguese club as part of the deal that brought David Luiz to Stamford Bridge in 2011 but was then re-signed by Mourinho for €25 million in January 2014.
"If I was here, a left-footed player at 1.95 metres tall and a midfielder, would never, never, never leave but, at the same time, I think Chelsea were brave bringing Matic back," Mourinho told reporters.
"If, in this world, you want to do the best for your club, you don't worry and just try and protect yourself from possible criticisms. You simply do what you think is best.
"We wanted a midfielder. We had on the table three or four but the best one was a former Chelsea player. A player Chelsea had sold. But the club was brave enough to say: 'If we are sure this is the right one, sure he's the best one, then we're sure he will be a success here.'
"Now, our team has been developed with Matic in that position. Everybody feels comfortable with him there. Kurt Zouma did amazingly well for us in those two games but Matic is Matic."
Matic has been integral to Chelsea's Premier League title challenge this season but Mourinho believes the midfielder was sold because of the club's lack of direction at the time.
"Back then, this club had gone through many managers in a few years," said the Chelsea boss.
"That made it difficult for the club to have a distinct philosophy on the table. For one manager, Matic would be the right profile of player. For another one, he might say: 'You can let Matic go because I don't like him.' It is much easier for a board if there is a philosophy on the table."
'I do what makes me happy' - Fabregas plays down casino visit with Messi
By Harry Sherlock
Mar 10, 2015 23:16:00
The Spaniard was pictured at an exclusive Mayfair venue along with the Argentina superstar and their partners, but he has no interest in discussing the incident
Cesc Fabregas has played down a recent visit to a casino with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
The pair have remained close since their time together at Camp Nou and were pictured at the Colony Club, an exclusive Mayfair venue, on Sunday along with their partners.
Fabregas, though, insists he has no desire to discuss the controversy, brushing away questions ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
“It's my private life,” he said. “I do what I feel makes me happy. I have nothing to say about any picture with any person away from football.”
The weekend’s visit to the casino was the second time Fabregas had been pictured partying with Messi, after he visited another casino with the Argentine and Gerard Pique before Barca’s clash with Manchester City in early February.
Chelsea racism: Five men allegedly involved in Paris Metro incident face court appearance
A video emerged coinciding with Chelsea's Champions League trip the French capital to play PSG that showed a black man being refused entry to a train
Hayden Smith
Wednesday 11 March 2015
Five men involved in incidents on the Paris Metro ahead of a Chelsea match have been served with summonses, police have said.
The men will appear at Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court on March 25 "regarding a police application for football banning orders", Scotland Yard said.
Controversy erupted last month when Chelsea fans were filmed singing racist chants and refusing to let a black man on a train ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris St Germain.
A Metropolitan Police statement said the summonses were served on Wednesday and Tuesday.
The development comes on the day that the two teams meet in the return leg of the tie in London. They will compete for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium.
Football banning orders are issued by courts following a conviction for a football-related offence after a complaint by the Crown Prosecution Service or a local police force, the Home Office website says.
They can last for between three and 10 years. Breaches of the orders can result in a sentence of up to six months in prison.
Footage captured by a bystander before Chelsea drew 1-1 with Paris St Germain appeared to show a man being pushed back on to the platform amid chants of "We're racist, we're racist and that's the way we like it".
The commuter, identified only as 33-year-old Souleymane, said later he felt "truly wounded to the bottom of my heart".
He said: "We're in 2015, aren't we, and we're in France. We're in a civilised country and when you are in a civilised country there are certain things you can't do.
"For me, it's a humiliation. I was humiliated in my country. I was humiliated in front of my family, humiliated in front of my mother and father."
In light of the incident, Scotland Yard said it would examine the footage to establish whether police could make an application for football banning orders.
Chelsea FC said previously it was "appalled" and apologised to the victim, while manager Jose Mourinho said he was "ashamed" of the fans involved.
QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has been charged by the Football Association (FA) following an alleged incident in the tunnel after Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.
The former striker is said to have confronted a match official as the players left the field at Loftus Road, following a 2-1 defeat for the hosts.
An FA statement read: "It is alleged that Ferdinand, director of football at QPR, used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a match official in or around the tunnel area after the end of the fixture."
Harry Kane's second-half brace fired Tottenham into a 2-0 lead, before Sandro pulled one back against his former club to leave QPR three points adrift of safety.
Ferdinand has until Friday to respond to the charge.
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is unsure what his future holds and whether he will stay with the Anfield outfit.
The former Ivory Coast international looks set to be offered a 12-month extension to his current contract, which expires in June.
But Toure is considering his options, with a move away for more game time an option for the 33-year-old.
"We're still talking, my agent is talking to the club," he said.
"We will see in a few days. The club have to think and I have to think as well.
"I need to think very hard and then take a decision and stick with it. It's very important to know what you are facing.
"Whether you are going to be part of the team or just a squad player.
"I need to do the right thing for me and my family."
Toure came on early for Liverpool in their 0-0 draw against Blackburn in the FA Cup on Sunday.
One man he has found himself behind in the pecking order is Emre Can, who has performed well as part of Brendan Rodgers' back three.
Toure was full of praise for the German.
"He is young but really good. He is a leader. When you are on the pitch you can see by the way he plays he is really confident and he talks on the pitch as well," Toure said.
"Right now, Jordan Henderson is very good [as captain] but there is no doubt this boy is going to be a king here because he is a top player and can make a difference on games.
"He can score goals, his work rate is amazing and there is no better player."
Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross is targeting a return from injury against West Brom on Saturday.
Centre-back Shawcross has not played since suffering a back injury in the 3-1 win over QPR on January 31, but has returned to light training and is set to join up with the rest of the squad in the next few days.
"I'm training again now and all being well I will step it up a bit over the next couple of days. I would love to be available on Saturday," Shawcross told Stoke's official website.
"I suppose it will all depend upon how I react to training and what the manager and the medical team think about it – they will have the final say.
"I'm paid to play football and when you sit in the stands watching the other lads play it is really frustrating and you don't feel you deserve the money.
"It's an injury I picked up a while ago but I played on and it was feeling ok, but then I had a little slip in the game against Queens Park Rangers and it didn't feel right.
"Thankfully it isn't something that is too serious, it has just been a case of having a couple of injections and resting it up. Hopefully that has done the trick.
"It's been five or six weeks since I last played and it has been difficult being out for so long.
"When you are out there putting your body on the line every week you just have to accept that sometimes you do pick up niggles."
Steven Gerrard will be available for Liverpool when they travel to Swansea City in the Premier League on Monday.
Gerrard confirmed the news in a media conference on Thursday ahead of a charity game to be held at Anfield at the end of the month.
The Liverpool captain has missed the last seven matches after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham last month.
Without Gerrard, Liverpool have won all three of their league outings, although they were dumped out of the UEFA Europa League following a penalty shootout at Besiktas.
With 10 Premier League games remaining - and an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Blackburn Rovers still to come - Gerrard's return to fitness will provide a welcome boost to manager Brendan Rodgers.
Valencia doubtful for Arsenal trip after ´freak accident´
12 March 2015
Enner Valencia is a doubt for West Ham's clash with Arsenal on Saturday after suffering an unfortunate domestic accident.
The Ecuador international required stitches after cutting his big toe on a broken cup.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is now sweating on the forward's fitness ahead of the short trip to the Emirates Stadium.
"Enner has had an accident at home and has cut his big toe quite severely on a broken cup. It has been stitched," Allardyce said.
"We're not sure if he will be considered for this game. It was a freak accident."
A fine first half of the 2014-15 campaign left West Ham fans dreaming of European football at Upton Park next season.
However, a run of one win in their past 11 Premier League matches has seen West Ham slip to 10th and the pressure grow on Allardyce.
There were signs of improvement in West Ham's last outing that ended in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
And having not played last weekend as they were already eliminated from the FA Cup, Allardyce is hopeful the break can do his team good ahead of another London derby.
"Hopefully the little bit of rest physically and mentally will help us win more games in the last 10," he added.
"I've been doing it for 10 years and the stats say we should have a break as it reduces the risk of injuries in the new year.
"We've gone to Arsenal a couple of times and got in front, but unfortunately the leads haven't lasted very long.
"All we can hope is that we produce the level of performance we did against Chelsea and hope that is good enough."
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has urged his side to improve their home form ahead of the visit of Hull City as they try to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Pearson's men welcome Hull to the King Power Stadium bottom of the league and seven points adrift of safety.
The Midlands club have claimed just 10 points at home all season and, with seven of Leicester's last 11 games coming in front of their own fans, that form will need to change if they are to survive.
"Our home form has not really been good enough this season, we would have expected it to be better than it has been," Pearson said.
"We need to make sure our home form between now and season is a positive factor. If we can do that there is a greater opportunity of us climbing out of the bottom three.
"This is a game [against Hull] that a lot of people will see as being pivotal. It'll be difficult, as was the fixture at their place [which Leicester won 1-0].
"There will be a few twists and turns before the end of the season, and we need to make sure that we stay in contact."
Mata: Man Utd should always be in Champions League
Mar 14, 2015 11:20:00
The Spaniard is feeling positive about the Red Devils’ hopes of finishing in the top four and says he “enjoys” playing against Tottenham, who he will line up against on Sunday
Juan Mata has warned his team-mates that a club of Manchester United’s stature must always be playing in the Champions League and is confident of returning to the competition.
The Red Devils missed out on qualifying for Europe last season after a disastrous campaign under David Moyes and are embroiled in a "rat race" to finish in the top four this term, according to the Scot’s successor, Louis van Gaal.
But Mata says there is a belief amongst the United squad that they can return to Europe’s premier club competition.
"Manchester United must always play in the Champions League and we believe we’ll make it," the Spaniard said in a fan Q&A session on Facebook.
The Red Devils are currently fourth in the Premier League, two points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, and Mata is keen to secure a boost in the race for Champions League football against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"Hopefully it is going to be a good result for us," added the former Chelsea playmaker. "I enjoy playing against Tottenham because I have had some good experiences against them!
"I'm working in the same way I have always done, with the same attitude and the same passion! That’s all I can do, I'm always optimistic and ready to contribute to the team at any time!"
West Brom 1-0 Stoke City: Brown Ideye sends Baggies closer to safety
The Nigerian stooped to head in Craig Gardner's inviting first-half cross as Tony Pulis' men record their fourth straight win to move 11 points clear of the drop zone
Arsenal 3-0 West Ham: Giroud stars in Gunners stroll
The Frenchman scored an excellent opening goal before playing his part in strikes for Aaron Ramsey and substitute Mathieu Flamini as Arsene Wenger's men march on
Leicester City 0-0 Hull City: Huddlestone sent off in stalemate
The Foxes could only manage a draw against the Tigers, who were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half after the midfielder was dismissed for tripping Jamie Vardy
Sunderland 0-4 Aston Villa: Benteke & Agbonlahor hit doubles to hammer Black Cats
The away side thrashed the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light thanks to two braces in the opening half, as they earned their third consecutive victory in all competitions
Crystal Palace 3-1 QPR: Bolasie & Zaha revel in Rangers romp
Chris Ramsey's embattled men could not cope with the Eagles' flying wingers in a one-sided first half, though Matt Phillips scored a thunderous strike in
Manuel Pellegrini has described the harmony within his Manchester City squad as "normal" and insisted there was no bust-up between Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho against Liverpool earlier this month.
Reports in the media suggested that the relationship between manager Pellegrini and Kompany had soured because the Chilean had sided with Fernandinho over his captain following an argument at half-time of the 2-1 loss at Anfield.
Those rumours were quashed by Fernandinho, who stated that he and Kompany were merely discussing the match rather than arguing.
And Pellegrini, who left Kompany out of his starting XI for the team that beat Leicester City in the Premier League champions' last outing, was keen to stress that the issue has been overstated.
"Inside the dressing room we didn't have any problems," he said ahead of Saturday's match at Burnley. "There was no bust-up and it is not important to talk about it.
"We don't have any problems with players in the squad. It was a normal thing, it's not important. There is no problem."
Pellegrini also once again answered questions on his own future after reports emerged that his agent had suggested a move to Napoli could be on the cards.
But the former Malaga boss insists he intends to see out at least the rest of his contract.
"My future is very easy," he added. "I have a contract here until June 2016 and I will finish my contract here. And if I can extend my contract I will. When I sign a contract I always try to finish it.
"If I'm not happy, maybe you try to finish before, but I'm very happy."
The Chelsea boss believes the criticism of his players' conduct against Paris Saint-Germain is hypocritical and motivated by envy
Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on television pundits Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness following their comments after Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
Carragher labelled the behaviour of Chelsea's players 'disgraceful' after they surrounded referee Bjorn Kuipers prior to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's red card in the first half, while Souness condemned the conduct as "pathetic" and "not the British way”.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Mourinho said: "I’m not like you [the media]. I’m not like people in your area - the nature of your job is you go with the wind, the wind blows to that side you go to that side, the wind blows to the other side you go to the other side.
"I’m not like that with my players. I like my players and I trust my players when I win and when I lose. I can’t be like the wind, so I support my players. We win together and we lose together.
"You know, the world is a bit strange, maybe because of diet and the quality of the products we are eating, because memories are getting shorter. When Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness speak about it, it’s because they’re having a problem."
Mourinho insisted he acted gracefully after the game and made a point of congratulating everyone in the PSG camp.
"The game finished, I was in the tunnel and one-by-one - not just the players, the coaches, everyone - I shook their hands, told them they deserved [to win], good luck for the future. This is the way we behave after a defeat," he added.
"This is the way I am and the way I work. I’m not like people want me to be, the way people sometimes like to describe me. Jamie stopped playing a couple of years ago and in two years he forgot everything he did on the pitch.
"Mr Souness also forgot but he stopped playing quite a long time [ago], and he also forgets that a couple of years after he left Benfica I coached there. I know a lot about him.
"I learned so much about him but also a certain kind of education, not just in football but also in life. So I prefer to laugh and say that envy is the biggest tribute that the shadows give to the man."
When asked if Chelsea have any new injury worries, Mourinho added: "Everybody wants to play. Nobody is doing like some journalists do where they write bulls**t and then the next press conference they don’t come."
The striker played 72 minutes for Manchester United's Under-21s in midweek after being an unused substitute against Arsenal, and the manager admits the loanee's form is a concern
Louis van Gaal has insisted he is not trying to humiliate Radamel Falcao after the Colombia international featured for Manchester United's Under-21s in midweek against Tottenham.
The striker was a surprise starter on Tuesday after being an unused substitute for the FA Cup quarter-final exit against Arsenal, lasting 72 minutes before being withdrawn after another ineffectual performance.
"I have read it was a humiliation," he told reporters. "I do not think so. It is a professional attitude of the manager, the management, also the club and especially from the player.
"It is not only Falcao. [Victor] Valdes and Rafael have also played. He has not reacted how the media say he has reacted."
Falcao has scored just four goals since arriving on a lucrative loan deal from Monaco in the summer, and Van Gaal has admitted the former Atletico Madrid man may never rediscover his best form in the Premier League.
"We are looking for the solution," says Van Gaal.
"Sometimes players can give fantastic performances in one country but not in another. It would not be the first time and it won't be the last.
"At a club like Manchester United it is more difficult. He has competitors. He knows Wayne Rooney is playing there and scoring."
Gomis fit to face Liverpool after fainting against Tottenham
By Matthew Scott
Mar 13, 2015 21:57:00
The striker was stretchered off after passing out at White Hart Lane but Garry Monk has confirmed that the Frenchman could return for the visit of Brendan Rodgers' men
Bafetimbi Gomis could feature in Swansea City's clash with Liverpool this weekend, having made a successful return to training after fainting against Tottenham last weekend.
The Frenchman collapsed at White Hart Lane during Swansea's 3-2 defeat, and had to be taken from the field on a stretcher.
Gomis, who has a history of fainting, was conscious as he was helped from the field and manager Garry Monk insists that he will have no qualms about putting the striker back into the fray when Brendan Rodgers' side visit the Liberty Stadium.
"Bafe knows better than anyone what measures to take to help him," Monk told reporters.
"I understand there are questions people want answered, but the issue is not as big for Bafe and the people at the club.
"He has lived with it his whole life, it happens occasionally and when it does so in a public place that scrutiny comes with it.
"But he has trained as normal this week and does the same as every player and if you look at his life there are more days when he has been fine rather than when something has happened."
Monk insists that the club knew of Gomis' condition - linked to low blood pressure - when they signed him from Olympique Lyonnais at the start of the season.
He added: "We made all the possible checks and he has been passed fit by numerous specialists who are top of their field.
"That is reassuring for Bafe and for us and he went back to France after the Spurs game to see a specialist he has used his whole life to reaffirm everything.
"These instances do happen from time to time as his history shows but Bafe is fine and ready to go."
Tottenham get stadium boost as Archway drop appeal
By Harry Sherlock
Mar 13, 2015 23:26:00
Spurs can now progress with the long-running Northumberland Development Project after the sheet metal work company opted against appealing a previous High Court ruling
Tottenham have received a boost in their bid to build a new stadium as Archway Sheet Metal Works have confirmed that they will not appeal the High Court’s decision to refuse their challenge of Spurs’ compulsory purchase order.
Archway have been long-standing opponents of Spurs’ Northumberland Development Project, which would see a new stadium, with a capacity of 56,000, built in place of the current White Hart Lane.
Tottenham, who announced the plans to build a new stadium in 2007, will now endeavor to agree a compensation amount payable to Archway and can finally press ahead with construction of the stadium.
A club statement read: "The Club has received confirmation that Archway Steel will not be applying to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the High Court's decision last month to refuse their legal challenge of the Compulsory Purchase Order.
"The next step will be to vest the land in Haringey Council's ownership and to agree the compensation amount payable to Archway.
"We shall also continue to seek to reach an agreement with Archway by private treaty."
The Blues were eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week but the Portuguese is convinced his side will bounce back and lift the title
Jose Mourinho insists he has an "unshakeable" belief in his Chelsea players and feels they will have a better chance of securing the Premier League title after their Champions League exit.
Paris Saint-Germain dumped the Blues out of Europe's elite club competition in midweek – having twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw to progress to the quarter-finals on away goals – and Mourinho subsequently held a meeting with his squad at the club’s training ground earlier this week.
The Portuguese says that the summit has left him even more convinced that his players will finish the season as champions.
"I think our answer is going to be good. I really believe we are going to win," he told reporters.
"I have the same belief in these players. Unshakeable. Absolutely. Absolutely.
"They responded in the meeting the way I expected: open communication. Nobody afraid to speak, nobody shy. Not everybody spoke, but good opinions, different opinions: one opinion from a goalkeeper, another from a striker.
"Their opinions were based on what they felt on the pitch, different from person to person. People on the bench had a different vision watching from the outside. And we discussed. We closed the chapter.
"What we can do now for ourselves and our club is win the Premier League. There are 11 matches to play in only one competition. Our situation is good. It's better than anyone else's. Everybody would love to be in our position.
"This is what we want to do. I closed with the players the chapter on the Champions League. We closed the chapter, but we still have the book to write. Let's see if the last page of the book is with the Premier League trophy in their hands."
Mourinho admits that Chelsea’s defeat to the French champions was their lowest moment of the season, but insists that they will bounce back in the coming weeks.
"Chelsea are top of the league since day one. Chelsea are not playing at the same level now as they were for many months, but we have played better than anybody for a long time," he added.
"People were saying Chelsea were a candidate to win the Champions League because we were playing fantastically, and could win every competition.
"We cannot play fantastically all season. I don't know one single team who play fantastic all season. We had our lowest point in terms of performance in a moment where we couldn't have it. We lost a game. We are out of the competition.
"I always react well to set-backs. We are in the most difficult domestic league to win. But that's what we want.
"We also spoke in that meeting about our future: to try and win the Premier League and, if we do that, a season with a Premier League and a League Cup is a brilliant season. A brilliant season."
Van Gaal is mistreating Man United stars - Van Hanegem
By Sacha Pisani
Mar 14, 2015 10:55:00
The former Netherlands international feels the form of Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria is down to the coach's methods while he also criticised his lack of respect for Ryan Giggs
Louis van Gaal is mistreating his Manchester United players, according to Netherlands legend Willem van Hanegem, who criticised him for his lack of respect towards Ryan Giggs, Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria .
For the first time since taking the reins at Old Trafford, Van Gaal is facing a seemingly uncertain future with United's top-four hopes hanging by a thread, and Van Hanegem, who featured for Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup, has hit out at his countryman's managerial style.
The Feyenoord player criticised Van Gaal for his treatment of assistant Giggs, who was forced to deny any bad blood between himself and the United manager following the team's late 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Van Hanegem also slammed Van Gaal over Falcao after the embattled Colombian striker was banished to the under-21 side in midweek, while British record signing Di Maria has been substituted in consecutive Premier League matches as the Argentina star struggles to make an impact in Manchester.
"What I hate to see is how Van Gaal is treating Ryan Giggs," Van Hanegem told the Daily Mirror .
"Louis has more attention for the other geezer next to him. But Louis forgets that we are talking here about Ryan Giggs.
"Louis has played for Telstar, FC Antwerp and Sparta Rotterdam. Giggs was a giant as a player. He deserves more respect than this.
"Falcao has proven over the past few years that he is one of the best strikers in the world. But at United he is being treated as if he was signed from an old fourth division club.
"Sometimes he's allowed to play a few minutes, sometimes he is allowed to start, other times he sits 90 minutes on the bench, or even worse, in the stands.
"I can see there are more players not happy at United. Di Maria was one of the most important links in the chain at Real Madrid. In the World Cup he was the best player in the Argentina side.
"But at United he hasn't been able to pass a ball over more than 25 yards most times."
