Van Gaal forced to defend his position again as Man United line up Mourinho to replace under-fire Dutchman

Louis van Gaal launched into another bizarre rant after being questioned about Manchester United's move for Jose Mourinho.
The Dutchman, already frustrated at watching his side concede an injury time equaliser against Chelsea, lost his cool after being asked about the club's interest in Mourinho.

Van Gaal's tirade came on the day the Special One revealed his intention to return to management 'very soon'. 

Sunday was not the first time in recent weeks that Van Gaal has been visibly irked by questions surrounding his future .

And in his latest rant, when asked about the recent links with Mourinho, the Dutchman said: 'You have spoken with Ed Woodward? Why do the club have to deny anything?

Higuain hits 24th goal as Napoli, Juve pull away

Gonzalo Higuain hit his 24th goal in as many Serie A games as triumphant Napoli and Juventus moved closer towards a scudetto duel after slip-ups by title rivals Inter Milan and Fiorentina.

Higuain and Napoli have been transformed since Maurizio Sarri took over from Rafael Benitez last summer but it took a second-half penalty for the Argentinian to keep Napoli top of the pile in a cagey 1-0 win over 10-man Carpi.

Napoli's 17th win of the campaign maintained their two-point cushion on champions Juventus, who saw Juan Cuadrado break the deadlock on 73 minutes and Paulo Dybala wrap up a patchy 2-0 win at the death away to league new boys Frosinone.

After Fiorentina saw their title hopes dented in a 1-1 draw at Bologna on Saturday, Inter had the chance to replace La Viola in third place and maintain their title charge with a win away to basement side Verona.

But Roberto Mancini's men maintained their poor form in front of the opposition net before settling for a 3-3 draw.

Eden Hazard has revealed he sent a text message to Mourinho, Read what he said

Eden Hazard has revealed he was left feeling so guilty over Jose Mourinho's sacking that he sent a text message to the former Chelsea manager to apologise.

Mourinho was axed by the Premier League champions in December after a disastrous first half of the season leaving the Blues just one point above the relegation zone after 16 games.

Hazard, who was Chelsea's standout performer in their title winning campaign last season, was one of a number of players performing well below their usual high standards.

And the Belgium international has admitted that a portion of blame for Chelsea's most successful manager ever losing his job lays at his door.

LVG circled by Chelsea managers

Manchester United's tentative resurgence will be tested this Sunday when Louis van Gaal pits his side against a Chelsea team slowly finding their feet under his countryman Guus Hiddink.

It is only two weeks since United were booed off at Old Trafford after a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton, but consecutive wins – 3-1 at Derby County in the FA Cup and 3-0 at home to Stoke City in the league – have convinced Van Gaal that his side can still win the title.

United go into the weekend 10 points below leaders Leicester City in fifth place and five points below the Champions League berths.

"We don't have to exaggerate, but I have the feeling if we shall beat Chelsea – although that is very difficult, because under Guus Hiddink they don't lose – then I think our league is starting again," Van Gaal said.

Sevilla on the verge of Cup final

French striker Kevin Gameiro struck twice and missed a penalty to put Sevilla on the brink of reaching a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona with a 4-0 semifinal, first-leg win over Celta Vigo on Thursday.

Barca's place in a fifth final in six years is assured after they thrashed Valencia 7-0 in the first-leg of their semifinal on Wednesday.

Sevilla have now won 12 consecutive games at home in all competitions and were worthy winners, even if the scoreline flattered Unai Emery's men.

Gameiro had a great chance to open the scoring after half an hour but saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Ruben Blanco.

Celta then came desperately close to a precious away goal as Sergi Gomez headed against the bar before Pablo Hernandez flashed a shot inches wide on the counter-attack.

Leicester face start of crunch time

Surprise leaders Leicester City face a severe test of their Premier League title credentials over the next 10 days, starting with Saturday's trip to Manchester City.

Claudio Ranieri's intrepid side have become a "second club" for football fans bored with the dominance of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in the last two decades.
With 14 games left they will travel to the Etihad Stadium three points clear of a chasing pack, led by Manchester City but missing some usual suspects.

West Ham must focus on Saints - Bilic

West Ham United's sole focus should be on their upcoming Premier League clash against an in-form Southampton side on Saturday and not on their promising league position of sixth, manager Slaven Bilic said on Thursday.

The Hammers are on course to challenge their best ever Premier League finish of fifth, a feat they achieved in 1998-99 season.
Bilic's men are only six points off fourth-placed Arsenal after 24 games and their impressive form this campaign has raised hopes that the club could qualify for next season's Champions League or Europa League competition.