Football

Star striker Wayne Rooney scored a last-minute penalty as English giants Manchester United United labored past Sheffield United 1-0 at Old Trafford to reach the fourth round of FA Cup.

Defender Brad Smith's second-half goal rescued a 2-2 draw as injury-hit seven-times FA Cup winners Liverpool denied fourth tier Exeter City a notable third round giantkilling scalp on Friday.

Rudi Garcia's position at Roma is scarcely more comfortable after winning once in their last nine outings, a run which included the 6-1 Champions League drubbing by Barcelona which reportedly had club president James Pallotta seething.

Several Manchester United players are in the 'red zone' according to manager Louis van Gaal as he weighs up his options for Saturday's FA Cup third round tie at home to Sheffield United.

Moyes, 52, was appointed as United's manager to succeed Alex Ferguson between July 2013 and April 2014, before he was fired.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has quashed reports that his forward Luis Suarez threatened Espanyol footballers inside the tunnel, saying that they were singing Christmas carols after their Copa Del Rey victory at Camp Nou.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has said he is discussing his future with Major League Soccer team Montreal Impact but that retirement talk was premature.

Manuel Pellegrini has said he would choose winning the Premier League with Manchester City and being shown the door over continuing as the team's manager for an extended period without any major success.

Serie A champions Juventus have a perfectly good squad and do not need to go delving into the transfer market, coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old Jordanian royal, who was beaten by 133-73 votes by Sepp Blatter in last May's election, is one of five men looking to replace the Swiss, who was banned from soccer for eight years last month for ethics violations.

Zidane said he would do his utmost to make sure Real, currently third in La Liga after an unhappy spell under Benitez, land silverware this year.

Eibar romped to a 4-0 win at Real Betis on Sunday as the tiny Basque team recorded their biggest win in their second season in Spain's first division.

City's 2-1 win over Watford City on Saturday was their first victory away after they beat Crystal Palace on September 12.

Atletico Madrid have signed Argentine midfielder Augusto Fernandez from rival Spanish club Celta Vigo at the start of the winter transfer window.

"We are looking forward to a difficult game against Maldives as they are a good side. Not only are Maldives highly organised, they are good in the attacking department too. It will be tricky," said Stephen Constantine.

Messi returned to Barcelona's group training along with his teammates in preparation for Wednesday's clash against Real Betis in La Liga.