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Conflicting reports emerge on whether or not Louis van Gaal tried to leave Manchester United
If he did have his resignation rejected for a second time, this club is really weird.


Louis van Gaal reportedly offered to resign as Manchester United manager after his team’s loss to Southampton on Saturday. His team failed to score again, and was booed at both halftime and full time by the Old Trafford faithful. However, conflicting reports are emerging, with the BBC among those claiming LVG’s reported offer to resign never happened.
To avoid further embarrassment, United are going to have to win a tricky FA Cup game away to Derby County on Friday. On current form, they can’t exactly be considered strong favorites.
Bizarre red card of the day
Andy Halliday of Rangers was somehow sent off for this celebration. What? (Got The Battle Fever On)
In the news
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen has an MCL injury and will be out a few weeks. (@SpursOfficial)
Qatar’s FA is suing a former German FA president because he called Qatar a cancer on soccer. (Guardian)
No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Harrison is out for NYCFC with a pelvic injury. (ESPN FC)
Didier Drogba will return to the Montreal Impact, not join Chelsea’s coaching staff. (MLS)
Former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has called Diego Costa a cheater. OK, standard stuff. He says Costa cheated by ... stepping in front of Per Mertesacker?!? (Star)
Sydney Leroux is expecting a child. She’ll miss the 2016 NWSL season and Olympics. (SI)
You should be reading
Trevor Murray on the coach tasked with jumpstarting Gibraltar’s soccer program. (These Football Times)
Mohamed Mohamed on Crystal Palace’s opportunity and need for a striker. (Stats Bomb)
Paolo Bandini on Juventus getting the most out of Paulo Dybala. (Guardian)
Fun with transfer rumors
Silly season has returned. Please don’t take anything in this section too seriously.
Chelsea appear to have sealed a deal for Pato. Why, we’re not sure. (Globo)
Newcastle have agreed a fee for Andros Townsend. (BBC)
And they’re trying to get Loic Remy back too. (Mirror)
Wolfsburg are willing to pay big money for Manolo Gabbiadini. (Football Italia)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
League Cup: Liverpool vs. Stoke City (2:45 p.m.) -- Stoke are in a hole after Liverpool won the first leg.











