Ozil out for 'a few weeks'

Mesut Ozil's unhappy spell continued when the Arsenal and Germany midfielder suffered an injury against Bayern Munich that manager Arsene Wenger said is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

Ozil, the club's record signing, was substituted at half-time during the 1-1 draw in the last 16 second leg at the Allianz Arena which saw holders Bayern progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Local media reported Ozil had sustained a hamstring injury though Wenger did not confirm that.

"It looks quite serious," said Wenger. "I don't know (how long Ozil will be missing) but for sure he is out (of the Tottenham Hotspur game on Sunday).

"We have to make a scan tomorrow to see how bad it is but he's out for at least a few weeks. I hope it's not too bad."

Ozil's injury came just as he appeared to be turning the corner following a run of misfortune. He scored the first goal in a 4-1 win FA Cup win over Everton on Saturday to end a three-month goal drought and gave a dynamic performance.

The German had looked jaded in the weeks before that and hit a personal low in the 2-0 Champions League home loss to Bayern last month, where he had his ninth minute penalty saved by international team-mate Manuel Neur.

Wenger dropped Ozil to the bench for the 1-0 league loss to Stoke City and he was booed by Germany fans in the friendly victory over Chile on week ago.

Arsenal are third in the Premier League seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea and six in front of fifth-placed local rivals Spurs who they visit on Sunday with a game in hand.

US firm acquires ten million Man United shares

An American investment firm has acquired a quarter of all Manchester United shares available on the New York Stock Exchange, it has been confirmed.

Baron Capital has been buying up stock and now owns 24 per cent of all the United shares that were sold by the Glazer family in 2012, though that still only represents 2.5 per cent of the club.

Analysts believe the accumulation of shares reflects the firm viewing United as a good long-term investment, rather than Baron Capital making any bid to secure a controlling interest in the club.

The Glazer family only released 10 per cent of the club on to the stock market - they still retain 90 per cent and control the vast majority of votes.

Nevertheless, Baron Capital's actions explain why the share price has been slowly rising despite the club's struggles on the pitch. This has also been fuelled by expectation of an announcement of a new Nike kit deal worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Baron Capital's United shareholding was confirmed in a securities and exchange commission filing on the Manchester United investor relations website. It says Baron Capital now owns 9,581,636 shares, which were worth $151million (£90million) at the close of the market on Monday.

Baron Capital says on its website the company remains positive about United's future.

It said: "Shares of Manchester United dropped... due to a delay in the signing of a new global merchandise deal with Nike and the team's poor performance on the field. The Nike deal is still expected to be signed, but has been pushed out from this fiscal year. We remain positive on the company's prospects going forward."

London-based financial analyst Andy Green, who writes a blog on football finance and advises the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said the move by Baron Capital appeared to be purely an investment strategy and was not the start of a takeover bid.

Green said: "This is absolutely not the start of any takeover. You could buy all the shares available on the stock market and you would still only have 10 per cent of the club and about 1.3 per cent of the votes.

"I am sure they are looking at the investment opportunities and rumours of the new Nike deal. They have a reputation as a long-term investment company."

The United share price closed at $15.84 on Monday - the highest level since November.

Gerrard tips Sturridge to shine in Brazil

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge's form this season leaves captain Steven Gerrard in no doubt he can be a star of this summer's World Cup.

The 24-year-old forward is second only to Reds team-mate Luis Suarez in the race for the Golden Boot, having scored 18 Barclays Premier League goals - including 10 in his last nine appearances.

That contribution has helped fire Liverpool not only into top-four contention but in with a chance of catching Chelsea, seven points ahead having played one match more, in the race for the title.

And Gerrard believes the striker can have the same impact in Brazil this summer.

"Daniel's got the world at his feet and he can be whatever he wants to be if he keeps working hard," Gerrard told thefa.com.

"His form has been scintillating this season and, to see him close up in training, I see what qualities he's got.

"Everyone will be looking for Suarez, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, the usual suspects, to stand up and be the star of the tournament, but Daniel is certainly capable to go and star at this World Cup."

England open their campaign in Brazil against Italy, but the clash which many are looking forward to is against Uruguay, which will pit Suarez against many of his Liverpool team-mates.

And, although Gerrard may have played a significant role in persuading the South American to stay at Anfield during a summer of turmoil, their friendship will be put on hold when they meet in Sao Paulo on June 19.

"I'd rather play on the same team as him, of course I would. He's a world-class player who can give problems to any opposition he comes up against.

"I know him well, I know his strengths and I know the very few weaknesses that he has but I'm looking forward to competing against him.

"When you play with players domestically they're your team-mates, you protect them and you do everything you can to win together.

"We both know that when the whistle goes against Uruguay the friendship goes out of the window for 90 minutes and we both fight for our countries but I can't speak highly enough of Luis as a player, he's up there, for me, in the top five players in the world."

Liverpool face Manchester United on Sunday looking for their first win at Old Trafford since 2009 and Suarez will be looking to improve on his record of just one goal in six appearances in all competitions against their north-west rivals.

The striker ended a run of five matches without a goal with one in the 3-0 victory at Southampton on March 1 but he insists as long as the side wins he is satisfied.

"When I was a child I never liked to lose. I worked very hard in my life to get to this level and I can't miss one ball because I love football," he told LFCTV GO.

"Sometimes (on the pitch) it is 100 per cent the little boy from the street and sometimes it is another person because you try the best and you change in your head - it depends on the moment.

"But if Liverpool win the game that is important, it is more important then myself. If I score and we win it is unbelievable."

Spurs successful with Kaboul appeal

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul will be available for Sunday's north London derby against Arsenal after the Football Association confirmed his red card in last weekend's loss at Chelsea had been rescinded.

The 28-year-old was dismissed after conceding a penalty at Stamford Bridge, with Spurs crashing to a 4-0 defeat.

Eden Hazard converted the spot-kick to put the Blues 2-0 ahead at the time and if Kaboul's red card had stood, Spurs boss Tim Sherwood would have been limited in terms of defensive options when Arsenal visit White Hart Lane.

Martino unfazed by critics

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino sent a defiant message to his critics as they turned up the heat ahead of his side's latest Champions League outing.

Martino is coming under increasing pressure over Barca's perceived poor form and fielded a host of probing questions as he met media to preview Wednesday's visit of Manchester City.

The Spanish champions were beaten 1-0 by relegation battlers Valladolid last weekend to slip to third in the Primera Division, four points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Their position seems healthy, especially as they are also through to the Copa del Rey final and will reach the Champions League quarter-finals if they finish off City, having beaten them 2-0 last month.

But that has not stopped speculation over his future at the Nou Camp, where expectations are lofty after three European triumphs in the past eight years.

Martino, who took charge last summer, told reporters: "I always stay strong especially thinking of everything that lies ahead.

"I won't forget about the league, we have a cup final and we can reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

"If I wasn't upbeat I would change jobs.

"This team is brave and is motivated. We have not been consistent enough, but there's not a problem with motivation or performance.

"Barcelona have good enough players to aspire, every season, to win titles. These players will turn things around.

"They know what's expected, so I don't need extra motivation.

"We did make lots of mistakes against Valladolid but that isn't normal in this team."

Martino's men are firm favourites to move into the last eight having dominated the first leg of their last-16 tie against City three weeks ago.

The Catalan giants dominated possession and broke through with a Lionel Messi penalty after the Argentina star was brought down by compatriot Martin Demichelis, who was sent off.

City did create some good chances on the counter-attack but failed to take them and Barca's superiority eventually yielded a deserved second goal through Dani Alves.

Martino knows his side hold a strong advantage but will not take anything for granted against a City side reeling themselves after a shock loss to Wigan in the FA Cup last weekend.

He said: "We played a very good match against Manchester City.

"I don't see why we can't do the same tomorrow and I am sure we will play well.

"We have to separate the league from the Champions League and we are at an advantage.

"But I think the way we could risk the result is thinking that we won 2-0 over there.

"The best thing is to think it's still 0-0 to try to win the match.

"We can't think about speculating with the result simply because we're in the lead.

"I think City will make changes to the team. (Sergio) Aguero is very dangerous but they have many other players who are just as worrying."

City's top scorer Aguero missed the first leg through injury but is now back in action.

Defender Javier Mascherano, the former Liverpool midfielder, believes Barca should take a similar approach to the first leg.

He said: "(We should) keep possession, don't give them any chance to make counter-attack, don't give them any chance to play in big spaces.

"The right way to do it is to try to get the ball in the majority of the game.

"They have the team to fight (for) titles in Europe, they have a lot of great players - but hopefully not tomorrow."

Courtois: Real Madrid reports are false

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has insisted that he does not have an agreement to join Real Madrid.

Reports circulated on Monday that the Belgium international had told directors at Vicente Calderon he would go back to parent club Chelsea this summer, before signing for Real Madrid in 2016.

However, the shot-stopper has claimed that no talks have been held with any club about his future.

“It’s completely false. I couldn’t have said any such a thing to Gil Marín because it isn’t true,” he told AS.

“Everyone knows I’ve got a contract with Chelsea and I’m happy at Atlético.”

Valdes: Barca fans now chant my name, but I’m still leaving

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes admits the reception he has received from fans this year has been terrific, but he will still leave the club at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old stopper joined Barcelona at the age of 13 and has spent almost 20 years at the club he holds very close to his heart.

Having featured over 400 times for the Liga giants, Valdes now feels it is time to move on and embark on another journey in his long and illustrious career.

With three Champions League, six La Liga, two Copa del Rey, two UEFA Super Cup and two FIFA Club World Cup triumphs to his name, the Spaniard is one of the most decorated keepers in world football, but, despite overwhelming support from the Barcelona fans, Valdes will play his last game for the Catalan club this season.

“This year they're chanting my name. I'm proud of that. Maybe it's because they know this is my last season and I'm still giving everything,” Valdes told The Guardian’s Sid Lowe.

“I was honest. It's hard for people to understand but I did what my heart told me. People around me have to understand what I am like too. Why hide? Why say 'let's see'?"

Much speculation has surrounded the Barcelona-born stopper as to where he will ply his trade for the upcoming season, but, despite reports linking Valdes to both Manchester City and Monaco, he still has not decided on his future.

"I've not got anything (planned) yet. No one knows me. What's 'retire'? To go somewhere and disrespect my team-mates who want to win and you've got some other attitude? No. Besides, it could be that when you free yourself from certain pressures you optimise your performances."