The wait is over: Beyonce unveils photo of twins Sir and Rumi

Pop diva Beyonce unveiled her newborn twins to the world on Friday, posting a glamorous photo on Instagram and announcing their names.
"Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today," reads the caption on the photo, which focuses much more on the 35-year-old yummy mummy than the little ones.

That wording puzzled many people on social media -- is the first child named Sir Carter or simply Sir, Carter being the last name of their rapper father Jay-Z? Others wondered about the gender of the babies.
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles cleared it all up later in her own Instagram post: one twin is a boy named Sir, period, and Rumi is a girl.

"So Happy my baby shared a photo of her babies with the world," Tina Knowles wrote. "Proud grandma hello Sir Carter and Rumi Carter... boy and girl what a blessing."
In the photo, Queen Bey is shown barefoot, standing on a lawn with the ocean in the background. Towering over her is a large display of colorful flowers.

She is wearing turquoise bikini bottoms and a dramatic ruffled lilac print robe, open at the front and cascading to the ground, twinned with a floor-length pale turquoise veil.

In her arms are the twins, each with a full head of hair and their eyes closed.
The set-up is similar to the one she used to announce her pregnancy back in February, in which she was pictured kneeling in front of a similar floral display while wearing a flowing veil.
"We would like to share our love and happiness," she wrote at the time. "We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes."

The twins' first photo attracted plenty of love from Beyonce's passionate fans, with the post garnering 2.5 million "likes" within an hour.
Beyonce and Jay-Z are music's royal family -- she and the 47-year-old Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, already have a five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.
Until Friday, the power couple had not even confirmed the twins' birth, though Beyonce's father acknowledged the delivery on social media.
It has been an extremely busy time in the celebrity household.

On June 30, Jay-Z released his first album in four years. The rapper bared himself as he rarely had before in "4:44," apologising to Beyonce for his infidelity and pouring out love for his mother, whom he reveals to be a lesbian.
He has also announced a North America tour, with 31 dates across the United States and Canada from October to December.

As an expectant mother, Beyonce made a New Age celebration of women at the Grammy Awards earlier this year -- putting on an extravagant, abstract performance while proudly displaying her baby bump cloaked in a flowing gold gown.
Rumi is the name of the 13th-century Persian poet who endures as one of the best-loved writers of the Sufi spiritual tradition, with verses that celebrate love, joy and tolerance.

On "4:44," Jay-Z alludes to Persian poetry on the song "Marcy Me," which describes his upbringing in a public housing project.
Appearing to liken his rhyming skills to the literary tradition, Jay-Z raps, "Sufi to the goofies / I could probably speak Farsi." - AFP

Rooney warns Lukaku: Do not show mental weakness at Man Utd

Wayne Rooney has warned Romelu Lukaku he must show mental strength if he wants to be a success at Manchester United.

United snared Lukaku from Everton in a move reportedly worth an initial £75million on Monday, the striker signing a five-year contract with an option of a sixth.
That followed Rooney making an emotional return to Goodison Park by moving in the other direction, 13 years after initially leaving for Old Trafford, where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer.

Rooney, 31, believes Lukaku has the ability to succeed for Jose Mourinho's side, but must avoid self-doubt if he is to handle the scrutiny of playing for such a massive side.
"Playing for Manchester United is a test of character," Rooney, who scored a wondergoal in his second Everton debut against Gor Mahia on Thursday, told reporters.

"You've got to be strong enough mentally to accept the challenge. United are a football club that demands success. Romelu has to be strong enough to take up that challenge.
"If he does that then, with the ability he has got, then he will be a success. If he worries about things then it will be more difficult.
"Hopefully, Romelu has got people there who will give him the right guidance and get the best out of him."

Rooney believes it is increasingly difficult for players at United to live up to the standards required now that Alex Ferguson and the famous Class of '92 have moved on.
He continued: "There are standards that you have to keep when you are at Manchester United. That came from Sir Alex when I went to United and it was passed down through the likes of Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], Gary Neville and Scholesy [Paul Scholes].

"Over the last few years, it was down to me and Michael Carrick to keep the new players maintaining those standards.
"That has been more difficult over the last few years, with some of the players who joined the club. There are traditions at United that have to be maintained. 

"It has become harder, but that's not my problem any more. I'm just ecstatic to be back at Everton." - Goal

'He is someone special, it's a shame' - Mourinho accepts Morata unlikely to join Man Utd

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admits it is unlikely Alvaro Morata will join from Real Madrid, describing it as a "shame".
Morata has been a target for United, but Madrid have reportedly asked for £80million for the Spain forward.


Mourinho has added a striker to his squad this off-season, with Romelu Lukaku arriving from Everton for a reported £75m.
The Portuguese tactician worked with Morata at Madrid and has accepted the 24-year-old is unlikely to join him at Old Trafford.

"It is a question for Florentino [Perez, Madrid president]," Mourinho said after his side's 5-2 friendly win over LA Galaxy on Saturday.
"He belongs to Madrid. Madrid has decided and we have not come to an agreement. It is simple. It's a shame.
"It is a player who made it to the first team with me. We have a special liking for [him], he is someone special. I enjoyed watching his evolution in Juventus and Madrid. It is like that. I don't think he can end with us."

Lukaku made his debut for United against Galaxy, playing the second half of the comfortable win.

Rashford's growth impresses Mourinho

Marcus Rashford's physical and metaphorical growth is a source of huge optimism for Jose Mourinho after the Manchester United striker's double helped sink LA Galaxy 5-2.

While big-money signing Romelu Lukaku made his United debut, it was Old Trafford youth product Rashford who stole the show with two goals.
And his notably increased muscle mass also caught the eye, with the 19-year-old evidently growing in more ways than one.
Mourinho told the club's official website: "It's just the natural evolution of the kid. An accumulation of minutes on the pitch.

"You change your body when you're a young kid, he's already taller than when I arrived 13 months ago. He's three centimetres taller and he put some muscle on, but without any kind of specific work because his speed is the most important quality.  
"Today he was in a different team to Lukaku [first half and second half]. We will also try both in the same team which I think can also work."

Rashford was increasingly called upon during United's run-in last season as they juggled domestic and Europa League commitments, with the England international – who scored 11 goals in all competitions – selected in the starting line-up for the 2-0 final win over Ajax.
"Last season in this period everyone was saying it would be difficult for me to play him, but he was one of the top appearance-makers of the team last season which is good for his evolution," added Mourinho.

"He played in the Europa League, important matches, and he's learning a lot. He's a great pro, has a great attitude and last season he maybe was not scoring a lot of goals and missing some chances but it was not a drama because that's part of the evolution.

"We know he is going to score more goals than last season." - Goal

Manchester City join Chelsea in the race for Danilo

Chelsea will face late competition from Manchester City for Real Madrid full-back Danilo.

The Times report that City are considering a move for the Brazilian as they weigh up their transfer options this summer.
Pep Guardiola has recently signed Kyle Walker but the club are known to still be in the market for full-backs.
Danilo is valued at around £21 million by the Spanish giants. The Brazilian was unable to hold down a regular spot at Madrid under Zinedine Zidane, making just 17 league appearances last season.

Reports have linked City with AS Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy as well as the aforementioned Danilo.
Chelsea will still feel confident about completing a deal for the Brazilian as they also eye a move for Alex Sandro to kick start their summer recruitment drive.

The Premier League champions confirmed the arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco yesterday, as Antonio Conte’s side continues to take shape.

'No Aubameyang bids' says Dortmund CEO

Borussia Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says the club have received no bids for Chelsea and AC Milan target Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeang.

As reported by Football Italia, the Dortmund chief has admitted that he would be happy to see the forward stay at the club.
“We have not received any offers for the player, we will wait a few more days, but not for much longer than that. Personally, I’d be happy if Pierre were to remain.
“Obviously there are clubs in the world where Aubameyang could earn more than he does here.”

There had been interest from Chinese Super League clubs, but with the Chinese transfer window now shut, Aubameyang’s former side, AC Milan and Chelsea appear to be the front runners for the player’s signature.
The Gabon international is being valued at £70 million after enjoying a free-scoring season in the Bundesliga last campaign.

Aubameyang netted 40 times across all competitions last season for Dortmund, helping them lift the DFB Pokal Cup.
Chelsea are in desperate need of a striker for the new season as Diego Costa closes in on his exit from the club.

The Premier League champions will need to fork out a lot of money for either Andrea Belotti, Alvaro Morata or Aubameyang if reports are to be believed. - Read Sport

Ronaldo move is 'mission impossible' - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho ruled out any attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford after Manchester United opened their US tour with a 5-2 rout of the LA Galaxy.

United manager Mourinho is keen to bolster his ranks further after already strengthening his squad with the additions of Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku, who both made their debuts at the StubHub Center.

But the Portuguese manager dismissed the possibility of a move to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford from Real Madrid.
"We have never thought about it because he is too much of an important player for his club, of great economic power," he said.
"We have not been able to find for whatever reason anything that could have made us think that Ronaldo could leave.

"I'm not going to waste my time thinking about players who are mission impossible."
Mourinho gave a list of summer targets to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward with the hope of making four top-quality additions.
United have so far brought in Lindelof and Lukaku, with the latter's arrival said to have ended their interest in Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.

"He belongs to Madrid," said former Real boss Mourinho. "Madrid have decided and we have not come to an agreement. It is simple. It is a shame.
"He is a player who made it to the first team with me. We have a special liking for him, he is someone special. I enjoyed watching his evolution at Juventus and Madrid.
"It is like that. I don't think he can end with us."
Earlier, England striker Marcus Rashford scored twice with Marouane Fellaini, Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scoring United's other goals in a one-sided victory in front of 25,667 fans.

New striker Lukaku was unable to get in on the goals after a 45-minute debut in the second half.
He missed one golden chance four minutes into his United debut, with his shot saved by Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe. However, Mourinho was satisfied with Lukaku's "unselfish" display in leading the line.
"Lukaku is a target man, he plays with his back to opponents," Mourinho said. "A good thing today for me is to see that he's a team player. He's not selfish. He's not obsessed with goals.

"He was not that worried about himself, he was worried about the improvement of the team."
Rashford meanwhile reminded Mourinho of his eye for goal with a confident first-half display.
The teenager opened the scoring after only two minutes, punishing an error from Ariel Lassiter near the Galaxy penalty area to dart in on goal and place his finish beyond goalkeeper Jon Kempin.
The 19-year-old doubled his tally in the 20th minute, latching onto a clever pass from Juan Mata to make it 2-0.

Mourinho later revealed that Rashford, who looks to have added a physical dimension to his game, was still growing.
"It's just the natural evolution of a kid," Mourinho said. "He's already taller than when I arrived 13 months ago. He's three centimeters taller.
"He's put on some muscle but without any kind of specific work because his speed is his most important quality and we don't want to lose that."