Trending: Leicester sack Ranieri, Man United face Rostov in Europa

Here are the latest stories for Friday.

LEICESTER: Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has urged angry fans to respect the decision to sack title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri, hinting at serious problems behind the scenes.

- Ranieri was sacked as Leicester City managerless than 300 days after leading the team to the most improbable of Premier League titles. The club made the announcement on Thursday and the news lit the social-media world on fire, with the move polarising opinions around the world. 

- The move was deemed harsh, but necessary, by two ESPN FC contributors, with Mark Ogdensaying the manager's time had come and Iain Macintosh putting the blame squarely on the players' shoulders.

- Roma coach Luciano Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia there is "not even a crumb of recognition in this sport" after Leicester City sacked Claudio Ranieri on Thursday.

EUROPA LEAGUE: Manchester United have been drawn against Russian club Rostov in the Europa League round of 16. Rostov, currently seventh in the Russian Premier League, defeated Sparta Prague in the round of 32.

TOTTENHAM: Dele Alli was sent off in the 39th minute of Spurs' 2-2 draw against Gent at Wembley Stadium for a violent tackle on Brecht Dejaegere, with Mauricio Pochettino's men flaming out of the Europa League on the short end of a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.

- Following the match, Pochettino refused to lay the blame for the loss at the feet of Alli.

LIVERPOOL: Philippe Coutinho says Jurgen Klopp gives Liverpool the freedom to "do what we want" on the pitch. Coutinho was speaking to Liverpool's official website after being presented with the Samba Gold award, which is given to the best Brazilian player in Europe.

- Adam Lallana hopes to help Liverpool win honours after committing his long-term future to the club.

- Frank de Boer has told the Daily Mail that he once rejected the chance to manage Liverpool because it was "too soon" in his career.

MAN UNITED: Wayne Rooney has dismissed talk of a possible move to China and said he wants to remain at Old Trafford. Earlier, it was reported that Rooney's agent has travelled to China amid reports he is trying to negotiate a transfer.

- Several Major League Soccer teams are interested in acquiring the services of Rooneyshould he leave the Premier League club in the future, a league source has told ESPN FC.

- Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has said he likes watching "exciting prospect" Marcus Rashford as much as he used to enjoy coaching him.

SOUTHAMPTON: Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier has told the 'Quickly, Kevin' podcast that Sir Alex Ferguson blaming Manchester United's grey change strip for a 3-1 defeat in 1996 was "the worst excuse I have ever heard."

CHELSEA: Cesc Fabregas has said he would not be surprised if Real Madrid attempted to sign Chelsea teammate Thibaut Courtois in the summer, calling him "the best goalkeeper in the world."

ARSENAL: Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has revealed that he underwent a minor ankle operation on Thursday afternoon and does not know when he will be able to return to action.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has said retrospective bans for diving could potentially be brought into English football for the 2017-18 season.

BOURNEMOUTH: Bournemouth players have each been given a pair of orange glasses by the club to wear before they go to bed in order to improve their sleep.

LIGUE 1: Mario Balotelli's agent has joked that the only way to stop the Nice striker from getting into trouble because of what he says is to "cut his tongue out."nth.

- Younes Belhanda has said he would love to extend his stay at Nice and believes there is "everything here to be successful."

PSG: Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeperKevin Trapp has stressed that he and his teammates must put their recent flawless 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the UEFA Champions league behind them if they are emerge victorious in Le Classique away at Marseille on Sunday.

BARCELONA: Barcelona havepartnered with Mission Hills Group to launch a new FCBEscola in China, which will be the first football school of its kind directly managed by the club.

DORTMUND: Mark Pulisic, the father of United States international Christian Pulisic, is returning to the U.S. to become an assistant coach with the Rochester Rhinos, the USL club announced on Thursday.

MLS:  The New York Red Bulls rallied to salvage a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the teams' CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal.

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