Thursday’s latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC’s What’s Trending …
MAN UNITED: Manchester United battled to a 1-0 victory away to Benfica to make it three wins from three as goalkeeper Mile Svilar allowed the ball to cross the line when saving Marcus Rashford’s free kick.
– Jose Mourinho has hit back at critics of his style of football by insisting good defending is not a crime.
– Mourinho has held talks with Manchester United about a new contract but he is no rush to sign a new deal, sources have told ESPN FC.
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition as Barcelona maintained their perfect record in Group D with a 3-1 victory over Olympiakos, despite the dismissal of Gerard Pique in the 43rd minute.
– Ernesto Valverde joked he hoped to see Lionel Messi score 200 goals after Barcelona’s talisman chalked up another milestone
CHELSEA: The Blues remain top of Champions League Group C despite throwing away a two-goal lead in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Roma at Stamford Bridge.
– Antonio Conte hit back at Jose Mourinho for the first time after Chelsea’s injury crisis worsened with fresh problems for David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
TOTTENHAM: Harry Kane said he had swapped shirts with “role model” Cristiano Ronaldo after the 1-1 Champions League draw at Real Madrid on Tuesday.
BAYERN MUNICH: The club responded to the defeat against PSG in their last Champions League outing by beating Celtic 3-0 at the Allianz Arena.
– Interim coach Jupp Heynckes said he “saw the Thomas Muller that I know” paying tribute to his captain’s performance.
JUVENTUS: Mario Mandzukic’s fine backpost header helped Juventus come from behind to beat Sporting 2-1 in Turin.
PSG: Edinson Cavani has praised fellow Paris Saint-Germain attackers Kylian Mbappe and Neymar but warned that neither he nor his teammates should view themselves as “Galacticos.”
ATLETICO MADRID: Antoine Griezmann admitted that a failure to take chances was endangering their shot at making the Champions League knockout stages.
PREMIER LEAGUE: Juan Mata is set to add the first two English Premier League players to his Common Goal initiative, sources have told ESPN FC.
ARSENAL: Arsene Wenger has said defender Mathieu Debuchy is set make his first start in nearly year on Thursday against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League.
– Jack Wilshere says it was “horrible” to hear Troy Deeney’s scathing comments about his teammates, and insists the Watford striker’s criticism was unjustified.
LIVERPOOL: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain accepts he faces a fight for a regular first-team place at Liverpool but insists he is ready to seize his chance.
– Steven Gerrard has been impressed with the attitude of young striker Ben Woodburn.
UNITED STATES: Former United States international Landon Donovan is weighing a run for the presidency of the U.S. Soccer Federation, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
– Claudio Reyna has called U.S. soccer “arrogant” and “obnoxious” in the wake of the national team’s stunning elimination from World Cup qualifying last week.
MLS: D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid will not return to the team next season.
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