LONDON - Theres a simple way of measuring if there has been any progress at Manchester United under Louis van Gaal: the Premier League position and the points tally. Derek Wolfe Jersey .After Sundays 1-0 loss to Southampton, with United on 37 points after 21 games, it was inevitable comparisons would be drawn with Van Gaals predecessor. After 21 games, David Moyes had also collected 37 points.So after a year of turmoil, despite more than $250 million spent revamping the squad, United has made no progress?You have been waiting for the moment to tell me I have the same points as David Moyes, Van Gaal snapped after Sundays loss.The Dutchmans irritability is partly justified.The priority is restoring United to the Champions League, ensuring this is a one-off season jettisoned from Europes elite competition. So with United in fourth place, Van Gaal is on target (even if Uniteds budget projections are for a third-place finish).For Moyes, 37 points was only adequate for seventh place during a season when he only spent the first week in the top four. And the downfall for Alex Fergusons anointed successor was United only collecting 20 points from the next 13 matches.On paper, United has the attacking potency to avoid such a slump in the second half of the season, without the distraction of European football.But the so-called Gaalacticos arent always living up to their star billing or mega salaries. It was risible that a team featuring Angel di Maria, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney couldnt manage a shot on target, albeit against a Southampton team that has defied expectations to rise to third — above United on Sunday — with the leagues stingiest defence.They came for a draw, I believe, and they go away with a victory, Van Gaal said. That is disappointing.United, though, expected it was hiring a manager with the tactical acumen to come up with a Plan B to outwit opponents as he did at the World Cup last year with the third-place Netherlands. The former Barcelona coach talks about imposing a philosophy that remains a mystery to many.Equally mystifying was the complete absence of Radamel Falcao from Sundays squad when United required all the attacking vigour in its armoury to break through such a sturdy back-four. Paying more than $60 million to turn that loan from Monaco into a permanent deal at the end of the season seems unthinkable at the moment, but predicting how the next five months will unfold would be foolish.As a coach you have to take decisions and you have to look at the composition of your team and your selection and you have to look at your game plan, Van Gaal said. We have a lot of players who are coming back and (Falcao) has played the last five matches in a row.Those five games capped an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Unlike Moyes, that included steering United into the fourth round of the FA Cup, albeit against weaker opposition.And Van Gaals job seems far more secure than his ill-fated predecessor. The air of gloom and negativity that pervaded Old Trafford last season has gone, and fan dissent has been quelled with a cocksure coach in the dugout.Publicly, Van Gaal is saying the right things.Moyes was ridiculed for saying of Manchester City: Its the sort of standard and level we need to try and aspire to get ourselves to. Whereas Van Gaal just last week issued a typically crowd-pleasing declaration: My ambition is that I have the best players who can collaborate with each other to form the best team in the world.The starting point is ensuring strikers perform their primary function and find the net more consistently. Only then will the comparisons with the mediocrity under Moyes stop, even though United is in a more elevated league position.___Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris Brian Dawkins Jersey . The club says its first-choice centre back "underwent medical tests on Wednesday morning" which confirmed he has injured his right hamstring. The injury was caused in the second minute of Tuesdays 4-1 league win over Real Sociedad in the Camp Nou when teammate Sergio Busquets accidentally struck Mascherano just above the knee with an outstretched boot. Steve Atwater Jersey . -- Each time the Utah Jazz threatened Memphis lead, the Grizzlies responded with defensive stops. http://www.broncosproauthentic.com/Black-Friday-Jamaal-Charles-Jersey/ . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.MANCHESTER, England -- Ashley Cole was left out of the England World Cup squad on Sunday, prompting the veteran Chelsea defender to announce his retirement from international duty. England coach Roy Hodgson said omitting the 33-year-old Cole was part of his plan to "look to the future," making it likely Luke Shaw will be the backup to Leighton Baines at left back in Brazil despite only making his international debut in March. Ahead of Mondays public squad announcement, Hodgson rang the players who were not among the 23 players being taken to Brazil. "I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players," Cole wrote on his Twitter account. "I think it best I retire from England team now ... like me or not, trust me its hurt me to stop playing for my country." After making his England debt in 2001, Cole went on to win 107 caps, the last coming in the 1-0 friendly win over Denmark in March. "Among many difficult decisions Ive had to make for my squad, not selecting Ashley was one of the hardest," Hodgson said. "Hes been an incredible competitor for England, to amass over a century of caps is a truly staggering achievement and he deserves enormous credit for the desire and brilliance which has shone through over the years he has represented his country. "There are few players who can be considered among the very best in the world, but Ashley in his prime was the best left back without question." Cole, who fell out of contention for England after losing his starting spot at Chelsea this season, endorsed Baines of Everton and Southampton teennager Shaw. Garett Bolles Jersey. "Baines and Shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get 107 caps," Cole tweeted. Before England opens the World Cup against Italy on June 14, Hodgsons side has friendlies against Peru at Wembley Stadium, and Ecuador and Honduras in Miami. "We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success," Cole said. "I will be supporting them like a true fan." Hodgsons intention to take younger players in Brazil could see Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard also miss out on the World Cup despite 103 international appearances. The 20-year-old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is being tipped as another youngster to make the squad as Hodgson blends a dynamic team to make an impact in Brazil. There was encouraging news for Hodgson on Sunday over midfielder Jack Wilshere, who returned to action for Arsenal after spending two months on the sidelines since fracturing his left foot in Englands friendly win over Denmark in March. "He can play now, so it shows you that there is no problem for him to be available for England," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said after Sundays 2-0 win at Norwich. Another Arsenal midfielder, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, should also be fit for the World Cup despite being out for three weeks with a groin injury, according to Wenger. "He should reintegrate into the squad on Wednesday in normal training," said Wenger, whose side plays Hull in the FA Cup final on Saturday. "He will be available for Roy to pick him. I wouldnt be surprised if he was picked." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '