When is Louis van Gaal suddenly loo-EE vun KHAAL? When you pronounce it properly that's when.

Pronunciation is a complex art and if you want to show off in front of your mates at the pub, take a look at our BBC feature which highlights how you get your tongue around the most difficult names in the Premier League.

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Stoke boss Mark Hughes says he is in favour of vanishing spray, external ahead of its Premier League debut on Saturday. Referees will use the spray to indicate the position of free-kicks and the distance the defensive wall must retreat.

"It is one of those grey areas, so to have the line there where players can't step over that line - it will help everyone," says Hughes. "There has been a bit of encroachment in previous years but now that won't be the case."

Some of you have been getting in touch with your football rituals.

Rob in Blackburn writes: "When I was a kid, my pre-game ritual always involved buying a multi-pack of extra strong mints. I used to be convinced that each mint equalled a chance on goal, so when we were struggling I would gobble a mint! During one particularly tough game, I consumed four packs of mints and then was sick all over the lady sat in front of me. We won the game though, so it was worth it in the end!"

Tweet #myfootyritual with your own tales.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says his biggest challenge for the season is to "give the fans pleasure", but he reveals he has not met with Sir Alex Ferguson.

United claimed the title in 2013 under Ferguson, who was central in appointing the man van Gaal eventually succeeded - David Moyes.

Asked if he has met Ferguson, van Gaal says: "No, until this moment I have not found the time to do that but I do not know if he is at home. It was in the planning that I would see him in the US but he called off and I have also been very busy with a lot of things."

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew warns champions Manchester City that his side is much stronger one year on. The Magpies crumbled to a 4-0 defeat against City on the opening day of last season.

"'The difference now is we're much more settled," says Pardew. "If you see more quality around you feel more confident. The players who have been here a while see that the group is bigger and stronger.

"I do feel we can give them a good game."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he has re-iterated the importance of off-the-pitch responsibility to the club's new captain Wayne Rooney.

"He accepted the responsibility," says van Gaal. "I like him very much - how he trained and also how he performed in the games and how he performed to his fellow players."

Rooney has scored 216 goals in 442 appearances for the club.

Crystal Palace:, external Keith Millen says new signing Martin Kelly joked: "I didn't think I trained that badly yesterday!"

Defender Kelly completed his move to Palace from Liverpool on Thursday morning - just hours before manager Tony Pulis left by mutual consent.

More from Crystal Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen, who says the departure of Tony Pulis has come as a "shock".

"I wasn't expecting to be sitting here a day before the season starts," he adds. "It has been a shock to all of us because we had a great pre-season. Tony really worked them hard.

"The players will be wondering who is coming in and what direction we are going to go in. But we have to stay focused on tomorrow. We have to focus purely on the Arsenal game, both physically and mentally. When we do that, we are a match for any team."

Crystal Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen believes the team's confidence will not be hit by the surprise departure of manager Tony Pulis.

"I got a phone call from the chairman at 21:00 BST on Thursday and I was asked to take training today and take the team tomorrow," says Millen., external

"Tony is single minded and he knows what he wants on the football field. The transfer dealings have frustrated us as a club. We had a brief meeting this morning and I told them Tony loved working with them. Confidence-wise, it shouldn't effect us at all."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal adds he is "not worried" at the prospect of using Ashley Young or Reece James at left-back in the absence of the injured Luke Shaw.

The sale of Patrice Evra to Juventus has left Shaw, who was signed for £27m this summer, as United's only recognised left-back but he is expected to miss the opening month of the season.

"We played in the USA with Reece James and Ashley Young in that position. I'm not worried," says van Gaal.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal confirms Robin van Persie has "no chance" of featuring in their season opener against Swansea on Saturday.

Van Persie played under ex-Netherlands coach Van Gaal during the summer's World Cup and was ordered to take an extended break ahead of the new season.

"He has to train," says van Gaal, who says Sam Johnstone, Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck are all also injured.

Guardian chief football writer Danny Taylor, external on the future of Manchester City defender Micah Richards: "Several clubs have asked about Richards. The problem is the fee. Man City want around £6-7m and that's putting off potential buyers.

"Man City also hoping James Milner - good pro that he is - will be as committed as normal now it is almost certain he won't be leaving. Milner had wanted out for large part of summer but Arsenal and Liverpool both put off by his wages (and potential fee). City always wanted him to stay."

Image source, @stokecity

Mark Hughes says he is looking to add to his five summer signings before the transfer window closes.

The Potters have secured Phil Bardsley, Steve Sidwell, Mame Biram Diouf, Dionatan Teixeira and Bojan Krkic this summer.

"We are still hopeful on a number of fronts, adds Hughes., external "We just have to bide our time. A lot of these things are dictated by people other than ourselves. We have options out there. We do have a budget and an amount of money that we are willing to spend."

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Manchester United and Barcelona target Juan Cuadrado has been left out of Fiorentina's squad for Saturday's meeting with Real Madrid, prompting speculation over his future.

The Daily Mail reports, external Cuadrado, 26, has not travelled with La Viola for the friendly in Warsaw.

Cuadrado rose to prominence during the World Cup with impressive displays for Colombia and has scored 20 goals in 83 games for his club.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet says Liverpool striker Fabio Borini is keen to join the Black Cats.

Liverpool have accepted a £14m bid from their Premier League rivals for the Italian forward but the move has yet to be completed.

"I cannot tell you everything because it's not fair on anybody," adds Poyet., external "But it's not like Borini doesn't want to come and we're trying to convince him. So calm, please!"

Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool "arrived a year too early" last season but insists his players will be challenging for the title again this time.

The Reds finished runners-up to Manchester City in 2013-14, but boss Rodgers adds: "We want to win a trophy.

"I've seen some odds and we're not even in the top four. People will rightly look to Manchester City and Chelsea but we are here to challenge."

BBC Sport's Simon Stone:, external Venue for Louis van Gaal's first pre-match news conference.

Van Gaal is due to start his news conference at 14:30 BST. Sportsday Live will bring you all the key lines.

Tottenham release a statement, external reminding supporters of their responsibilities ahead of the match at West Ham on Saturday.

It reads: "All of our supporters travelling to Upton Park are doing so as ambassadors of the club and we would ask that they behave in a manner of which we can be proud.

"The club does not tolerate discrimination of any sort, on the pitch or in the stands, and we shall also take appropriate action against anyone heard using abusive, offensive or obscene language. Our fans generate a fantastic, positive atmosphere both at the Lane and on our travels and we hope everyone continues to focus their energies on cheering the team on."