Men

It hasn’t been the dream beginning that many anticipated following three straight victories to open their 2016-17 Premier League campaign, and many within the Manchester United camp are already beginning to feel the heat.

Wayne Rooney has been in dire form, and his inclusion in the starting XI has been relentlessly questioned. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since September 10th. Paul Pogba has hardly justified his gargantuan transfer fee, and Jose Mourinho’s personnel choices, including the ostracizing of Bastian Schweinsteiger, have been criticized.

First things first, people. Lionel Messi is not going anywhere...any time soon, at least.

According to reports from Diario Gol, the Argentinian superstar is pushing for an escape clause in his new contract with FC Barcelona that would allow him to leave for Newell's Old Boys – his boyhood club in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina – presumably sometime in the future. 

Recently, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has been the subject of intense scrutiny, with critics claiming that the two time Ballon d'Or winner has lost a step.

In true superstar fashion, Ronaldo didn’t spend time complaining in the media like Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, but instead fired back at critics with a convincing four-goal performance, just one goal shy of Portugal’s record for goals in a game. This game marks his 42nd career hat trick, as the Portuguese star showed that he is still one of the best.

Bob Bradley is quickly proving he can hang with the best managers in the Premier League, at least in terms of banter.

Bradley's first press conference as manager of Swansea City included a shot at his successor as USMNT manager, Jurgen Klinsmann.

Here's the excerpt everyone's talking about: 

"From the day I got fired from the U.S., I've not said one thing publicly about that team. I don't appreciate the way it was done; I think they made a mistake," Bradley said.

Heading into the 2016 MLS season, all signs pointed towards another successful year for the Seattle Sounders. Legendary coach Sigi Schmid was at the helm. Seattle secured the best player in the draft, home-grown talent Jordan Morris. Clint Dempsey was still in top form and there were promising attacking additions in Andreas Ivanschitz and Nelson Valdez.

Instead, the first half of 2016 was a disaster for the Sounders. The Rave Green lost 12 of their first 20 matches and sat well outside of the playoff positions at the MLS All-Star Break.