Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal admits Memphis Depay enjoys a special status within the squad.

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal admits Memphis Depay enjoys a special status within the squad.
Van Gaal picked the Barcelona forward for the World Cup despite him not playing for two months because of a hamstring injury, but his selection is not a decision which has been questioned within the Netherlands set-up.
The 28-year-old played the final 28 minutes of their opening 2-0 win against Senegal, with his shot leading to the second goal.
And after that successful outing Van Gaal hopes to be able to stretch his involvement to potentially a full half on Friday against Ecuador, the other Group A side with three points.
"This is a player who is quite extraordinary and so I have set aside my principles because I consider him to be incredibly important for our team and that is why we did what we did," said the Dutch boss.
"I explained it to the players and I do all this for Memphis and the players are all doing it for Memphis and they accepted it.
"He was individual training in Amsterdam but for us he needs to train with the team and it is very important he gets used to that first.
"We have increased intensity and he has played 30 minutes now and isn't grappling too much with the issues so we are proceeding to the next step, which is 45 minutes.
"We are trying to extend that because the injury he had makes it so difficult to decide when he can start."
In his absence Cody Gakpo has stepped up, scoring the crucial first goal against Senegal.
The PSV Eindhoven forward, who is attracting the interest of some of Europe's top clubs, has only played 10 senior international matches but Van Gaal believes he has the potential to become a World Cup star.
"He is a player with a lot of talent and possibilities but he is young and he is still evolving," added Van Gaal.
"He has a lot of room for improvement and is a personality who will do everything it takes.
"Whether he will now become the star of the World Cup I can't promise you that, but it is possible. I know that for sure, he can become a star."
Ecuador's win over hosts Qatar was memorable for Enner Valencia, who scored both goals and was denied a hat-trick by VAR.
The 33-year-old limped off with a knee injury but is determined to play as if he scores again he will equal the all-time record of scoring in six successive World Cup matches currently held by Eusebio, Paolo Rossi and Oleg Salenko.
Manager Gustavo Alfaro said: "The tests showed that he doesn't have an injury but the trauma is very serious.
"I said the other day that not even fire could stop Enner. If it's up to him, he will play.
"Let's give it the benefit of the doubt and hope he responds well in training."

Louis van Gaal set aside his principles to select 'extraordinary' Memphis Depay

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Vodacom Soccer | News | Louis van Gaal set aside his principles to select 'extraordinary' Memphis Depay

Newcastle beat Manchester United 1-0 at St James' Park thanks to Anthony Gordon's sixth goal of the season.

Newcastle beat Manchester United 1-0 at St James' Park thanks to Anthony Gordon's sixth goal of the season.
The Magpies, who returned from Paris St Germain in midweek bitterly disappointed with a 1-1 Champions League draw, dominated for all but the final few minutes and perhaps should have secured the points in more emphatic fashion with Kieran Trippier seeing a first-half free-kick come back off the crossbar.
However, Gordon's 55th-minute finish - the fourth-successive home league game in which he has scored - proved sufficient to clinch a 1-0 win and send Eddie Howe's side above the Red Devils in the table, although his joy was tempered by a potentially-serious injury to goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Manchester United, who had thrown away a 3-1 lead at Galatasaray to draw 3-3 on Wednesday evening, created little of note - they saw a late goal ruled out after Antony's shot had clipped Harry Maguire in an offside position - as their run of five wins in six league games came to an end in front of a crowd of 52,214.
Under-fire goalkeeper Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot got themselves in a tangle as they attempted to deal with a Gordon cross, although opposite number Pope had to repel Alejandro Garnacho's 11th-minute attempt with a well-placed foot after Bruno Fernandes' superb pass had played him in behind Trippier.
Garnacho became an increasing threat down the Magpies' right as Manchester United started to impose themselves, but Luke Shaw had to block Alexander Isak's 15th-minute effort after Trippier had fizzed the ball into his feet inside the penalty area.
Onana saved from Miguel Almiron following a neat one-two between Joelinton and Trippier, while Guimaraes smashed an 18th-minute shot over from distance after Tino Livramento had surged forward down the left and cut the ball back.
The visitors were creaking and Maguire had to be in the right place at the right time to deflect Isak's goal-bound effort wide before Jamaal Lascelles headed over from the resulting corner.
Playmaker Fernandes did his best to drag Erik ten Hag's men into the game, but too often the men ahead of him were not equal to the task and they continued to look less than certain at the back with Isak firing wide 12 minutes before the break after Aaron Wan-Bissaka had headed Fabian Schar's long ball straight to him.
Almiron curled an attempt over the angle of post and crossbar after cutting inside Dalot from Trippier's through-ball, but Onana enjoyed the kind of fortune which has eluded him in recent weeks when Trippier rattled the crossbar with a 39th-minute free-kick after Maguire had felled Schar 25 yards out.
Livramento, whose scything run led to Isak's goal at Paris St Germain, almost repeated the dose two minutes after the restart when he set up Almiron, but saw the Paraguay international's shot half-blocked to allow Onana to save comfortably.
The keeper was finally beaten seconds later when Guimaraes rolled the ball into Trippier's path and he crossed low to the far post for Gordon to score.
Schar whistled a shot from distance a foot over Onana's crossbar as the home side looked to kill the game off, and Ten Hag responded by replacing Marcus Rashford and Martial with Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.
Antony added vigour to a side in desperate need of inspiration, but to little real effect and Wan-Bissaka survived penalty appeals for handball after blocking Lewis Miley's shot with 12 minutes remaining.
Schar had to throw his body into the path of Sergio Reguilon's well-struck 82nd-minute volley, although Pope's evening ended in agony as he was led from the pitch having suffered an injury as he dived in anticipation behind the defender.
Replacement Martin Dubravka was beaten with two minutes of normal time left on the clock, but an offside flag came to the tiring Magpies' rescue and they safely negotiated nine minutes of stoppage-time to claim victory.

Anthony Gordon nets winner as Newcastle edge out Man Utd in Premier League clash

Arsenal opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League as two early goals proved just enough to see off Wolves 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League as two early goals proved just enough to see off Wolves 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
With closest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City not in action until Sunday, Mikel Arteta's side took full advantage as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard struck in the opening 16 minutes before a nervy ending brought about by Matheus Cunha's strike.
The Gunners ultimately ran out winners on an afternoon where their early goals were the peak of a performance that promised more than it provided.
Having thrashed Lens here 6-0 on Wednesday to ensure safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League, Wolves proved they were made of sterner stuff and stayed in the contest until the last.
Saka needed less than six minutes to put the home side ahead as Arsenal scored their earliest Premier League goal of the campaign so far.
It is something manager Mikel Arteta has been keen to improve on, stopping sides being able to sit deep and defend in numbers.
Gabriel Jesus fed Takehiro Tomiyasu, who slipped in for Saka to coolly convert and continue what is fast becoming a fine season for the England forward.
Saka's speedy opener gave Arsenal a platform to build on and they doubled their lead just seven minutes later.
Jesus was again involved, this time playing in Oleksandr Zinchenko down the left with the full-back then squaring for Odegaard to sweep home and finish off another eye-catching move.
Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa appeared to pick up an injury attempting to keep out Odegaard's effort but was on had to bravely block a Leandro Trossard shot as Arsenal continued to turn the screw.
That turned out to be Sa's final contribution, however, as he limped off to be replaced by Dan Bentley.
The visitors enjoyed more of the ball but created very little before being caught on a counter-attack that ended with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the base of Bentley’s post with a curling strike.
Jesus then failed to finish a difficult chance at the back post as Saka's ball in was deflected into the Brazilian's path.
Wolves finally had a telling chance in the dying embers of first-half stoppage time but Hwang Hee-chan could not take full advantage of Zinchenko's weak backpass as David Raya rushed off his line to block.
Cunha stung the palms of the Arsenal goalkeeper early in the second half just after Jesus had a penalty claim turned down at the other end.
Declan Rice drilled wide and Saka bent a long-range strike inches over the crossbar as the game seemed to be petering out to a conclusion.
Tomiyasu was forced off with what appeared to be a calf injury as Ben White replaced the Japan international for the final 12 minutes.
Trossard should have added a third moments later but could not finish when played in on goal as Bentley made a smart stop to deny both the Belgian and Saka, who followed up the initial effort.
Instead though, it was Wolves who would reduced the arrears and set up a nervy ending for the hosts as Nelson Semedo nipped the ball off the toes of Zinchenko and Cunha slammed home.
Arsenal should have immediately re-established their two-goal cushion but substitute Eddie Nketiah hit a post when presented with a fine opportunity.
The Gunners, though, hung on to seal the win and put a gap between themselves and the chasing pack ahead of Tuesday's trip to Luton.

Arsenal open up four-point lead at the top of the table after seeing off Wolves

Pep Guardiola expects Tottenham to come at his Manchester City side at full-throttle this weekend.

Pep Guardiola expects Tottenham to come at his Manchester City side at full-throttle this weekend.
Spurs caught the eye playing dynamic and attacking football in a strong start to the Premier League season under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Londoners have come unstuck in recent weeks, losing their last three games and suffering injuries to key players, but their Australian manager has determinedly stuck to his principles.
"He's been there from day one, from the first game of the Premier League," said City boss Guardiola, whose treble winners host Spurs at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
"I have the feeling it doesn't matter the result, it doesn't matter the opponent, home or away – they do what they have to do.
"I like that. I think that is so incredible an advert for our game, for our sport. When two teams (decide it) doesn't matter what happens, I do my game, I go forward, there are always nice things to watch, all the time.
"It's impossible you don't see an interesting game where both teams want to try to do it."
City midfielder Mateo Kovacic is back in contention after injury and John Stones, and unused substitute for the last games, is also close to returning to action.
Kyle Walker, who has taken over the City captaincy so far this season with Kevin De Bruyne out injured, will face his old club.
"I'm really, really pleased about what he's doing," said Guardiola of the 33-year-old right-back.
"He's the same guy who was involved before, when he wasn't captain, but now the players decided to pick him, so he now has a little more responsibility.
"When there's some problems in the locker room or whatever, captains tend to solve it."

Man City's Pep Guardiola expects full-throttle clash against Tottenham

In the intricate dance of football transfers, Real Madrid are preparing for a last, strategic move to sign the prodigious Kylian Mbappe.

In the intricate dance of football transfers, Real Madrid are preparing for a last, strategic move to sign the prodigious Kylian Mbappe.
Renowned Spanish journalist Jorge C Picon has revealed that the club are set to unveil their ultimate offer at the turn of the year, marking the culmination of a prolonged pursuit.
Mbappe, now 24, has ascended to the zenith of world football over the past six years. Bursting onto the scene during the 2016/17 season with AS Monaco, he played a pivotal role in securing the Ligue 1 title for his team. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) swiftly recognized his potential, securing him on loan in the 2017 summer transfer window before finalizing a permanent deal a year later.
Despite being the linchpin for PSG, Mbappe's future has perennially been shrouded in speculation. The recent limelight has been focused on Real Madrid, with persistent rumours linking the French sensation to the iconic white jersey. This intrigue reached its peak in the last two summer transfer windows.
Mbappe's journey has been marked by steadfast loyalty to PSG, evident even during the tumultuous period when he declared his intention to run down his contract this past summer. Banished briefly from the squad, he swiftly reclaimed his pivotal role, amassing an impressive 17 goals and two assists in just 17 appearances.
Yet, as Mbappe enters the final year of his contract, the football world eagerly awaits his decision. Premier League giants have been lurking in the shadows, but it is Real Madrid that have consistently courted him. Recent reports suggested that the club had abandoned hopes of a Bosman move, having chased the Frenchman in the past three summer windows.
Real Madrid, a club with a storied history, remain cautiously optimistic. Their final offer, poised to be unveiled at the turn of the year, carries the weight of their aspirations to secure Mbappe's services. The catch, however, lies in Mbappe's desire to don the iconic white jersey. The Merengues are not willing to go all out unless the World Cup winner unequivocally expresses his wish to join their ranks.
As Real Madrid unveil their final gamble, the ball is firmly in the court of the 24-year-old prodigy. Will Mbappe choose the allure of the Merengues and embark on a new chapter in his illustrious career? The answer lies in the impending turn of the year, promising a thrilling denouement to this captivating transfer saga.