Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has taken aim at critics who suggested he did not work hard enough in the Manchester United side.

The Belgium international spent two seasons with the Red Devils before leaving for the Nerazzurri last year in a deal worth in the region of €65million.

United s attacking trio of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood flourished in Lukaku s absence, while the former Everton man has thrived in Italy, scoring 34 goals in all competitions last season.

He was also named the Europa League player of the season after firing Inter to the final, where his own goal saw them lose 3-2 to Sevilla.

Lukaku s form has made a mockery of some criticism he received during his time in England, where it was sometimes suggested he was t…

William Gallas has slammed former Arsenal team-mate Samir Nasri, claiming his outburst at a journalist has revealed his true character.

The French pair have been involved in a long-running war of words since Nasri allegedly refused to give up his seat for legendary striker Thierry Henry on France s team bus at Euro 2008.

Gallas reportedly accused his compatriot of a lack of respect and the players are believed not to have spoken during their time together in north London.

And now, following Nasri s angry tirade in which he offered to fight a reporter after his side s Euro 2012 quarter-final loss, the Tottenham defender feels observers will sympathise with his position.

People have really learned for themselves who Samir Nasri truly is. And I wasn t in …

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has hit out at the “damaging” new guidelines on added time and conduct for this season’s Premier League and asked why players’ opinions are not being heard.

Competitions around the world have been instructed to more accurately calculate time lost to stoppages this season, including goal celebrations and VAR checks.

Arsenal equalised in the 11th of 13 added minutes at the end of Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City and went on to win on penalties.

We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules.

From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s …

Manchester City are showing interest in Atalanta defender Federico Peluso, according to the Italian club.

After Aleksandar Kolarov expressed his desire to leave the club this summer, the Citizens are forced to search for a new left back.

Recent media reports suggested boss Roberto Mancini was keen on Atalanta defender Federico Peluso and the Nerazzurri have all but confirmed the speculations.

“Gabbiadini has many suitors, but Peluso has more,” Atalanta sporting director Pierpaolo Marino .

“All the big clubs, including a huge one from England, are interested in Peluso. I think he will leave the Italian championship.

”Are the English club from London? No, not from London. Is it Mancini’s City? You are quick to make certain conclusions.”…

that the future of Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart is still very much up in the air.

The Dutchman has been constantly linked with a move away from the club this summer and Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas hasn t exactly ruled out the possibility.

Speaking about van der Vaart s future, he said: In football you never know. Anything can happen but he’s a player we are counting on.

This is football. If I let Rafa go it’s because I’ve allowed him to go. It’s not because someone is forcing me to.

These comments have certainly added fuel to the fire with regards to van der Vaart moving on and it will be interesting to see how the player reacts.

Villas-Boas is obviously keen to bring in new players, so does he have to sell before he can d…

Martin Atkinson bottled it  by not showing Lucas Leiva a red card in Liverpool s 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton, according to Jamie Carragher.

The Brazilian had already been shown a yellow card in the 69th minute before cynically sending James McCarthy to the ground shortly afterwards at Goodison Park.

Referee Atkinson awarded the hosts a free-kick but kept his cards in his pocket despite an angry reaction from some Everton players, and Brendan Rodgers quickly substituted Lucas.

And former Liverpool defender Carragher felt the official lacked the courage to show a red card in the fixture between the arch-rivals.

The referee s bottled it he knows straight away. He booked Lucas 15 minutes before. He s just froze at that moment, Carra…

Palermo chairman Maurizio Zamparini has revealed he rejected a 12 million-euro bid from Galatasaray for Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez.

The 22-year-old joined the Palermo in 2009 from Penarol, and has gone on to score 16 goals in Serie A from 69 appearances.

The Turkish champions were looking to bolster their squad ahead of the Champions League group stage, and had earmarked Hernandez as a potential signing, only for Zamparini to reject their advances.

A week ago, we rejected a 12 million-euro offer from Galatasaray for Hernandez. the chairman told Giornale di Sicilia.

I want to keep Abel. His manager Giuseppe Sannino and I am sure he will do great things.

Palermo open their Serie A campaign at home to Napoli on Sunday.

…

Jermain Defoe has no doubt that Thursday s recall to the England squad after three and a half years in the international wilderness was fully deserved.

Defoe last won a cap in 2013, but the Sunderland striker was selected by Gareth Southgate for upcoming games against Germany and Lithuania due to a raft of injuries to attacking players including captain Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge.

Kane is the only English player with more Premier League goals than Defoe this season and the 34-year-old is thrilled to be back in the international fold.

What convinced to recall ?

— England (@England)

Thanks to everyone for your messages! Sunderland forward Defoe tweeted shortly after Southgate s squad was confirmed. Playing for England has …

Neymar could be forced to leave Barcelona if his tax evasion case is not resolved, according to the player s father.

A Brazilian court has frozen £31.3million worth of assets belonging to the Barca attacker, his family and related businesses, with the 23-year-old alleged to have evaded £10.5m worth of taxes in Brazil from 2011 to 2013.

Neymar, who has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances for his club side this term, is enjoying a rich vein of form but his father revealed his future at Camp Nou could be jeopardised by the ongoing investigations.

We are talking about a [contract] renewal but we need to solve some things, Neymar Sr told Cadena SER.

We need to know if Spain accepts our situation. It s hard for us because we are receiving many attacks, from …

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes Sevilla s stunning Champions League win at Old Trafford has been overshadowed by Manchester United crashing out of the tournament.

Vincenzo Montella s decision to send on Wissam Ben Yedder proved a masterstroke as the striker scored twice in six minutes to set up a 2-1 aggregate win, Romelu Lukaku s reply proving only a consolation.

Much of the post-match reaction has been dominated by analysis of United s limp performance, with the achievement of Sevilla Europa League champions three years in a row between 2014 and 2016 somewhat overlooked.

And Simeone does not think it is fair for Sevilla s triumph to be judged in the context of Jose Mourinho s United side suffering a surprise Champions League exit in the round of 16…