MANCHESTER UNITED...the RED DEVILS march on !!!

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Ferguson riled by Tevez issue as United go top

AFP - Monday, May 11

LONDON (AFP) - - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn on the future of Carlos Tevez after watching the Argentine striker score the second goal in a 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

Tevez revealed in a newspaper interview published earlier on Sunday that he was likely to leave the club in the summer and was upset by United's failure to offer him a new contract.

The former West Ham forward celebrated his 45th-minute strike by cupping his hands to his ears right in front of the United bench, and Ferguson reacted angrily when pressed about the player's future in a post-match interview.

"He's a United player," Ferguson told Sky Sports, before conceding that Tevez's never-say-die attitude had won him the hearts of the club's fans.

"They love triers," he said. "The fans always take to that."

Asked when Tevez's future at the club would be sorted out, Ferguson snapped:

"I'm not going into that at all."

Tevez has in recent months complained about limited first-team opportunities with United, for whom he scored 19 goals in 39 appearances as they won the Premier League and Champions League last season, and hinted last month he was ready to leave Old Trafford.

Ferguson responded by saying he was optimistic of holding onto the on-loan frontman, but Tevez said he is growing increasingly frustrated with United, claiming a lack of first-team appearances has affected his confidence.

He said he is ready to move to another Premier League club even if it meant a drop in wages.

"It is good-bye," he told The Sunday Telegraph.

"I respect the fans and it has been a great two years. Obviously in the last year my participation on the pitch has been less but that has been the choice of the coach, not my choice.

"I have given everything I possibly can to the shirt of Manchester (United) and I'm grateful to the fans. But I'm leaving and I do so with my head held high."

The complicated background to Tevez's contract status means he is only on loan at Old Trafford and is a free agent at the season's end with the ability to walk out on United.

Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian's company MSI own Tevez's registration. Joorchabian claimed on Sunday he had received an offer of 40 million pounds from a foreign club for Tevez.

United's win against neighbours City gave them a three-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the Premier League and means they need four points from their three remaining fixtures to retain the title.

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Premier League - Murphy: Sympathy for Tevez plight

Eurosport - Tue, 12 May 19:49:00 2009

Fulham captain and Eurosport-Yahoo! blogger Danny Murphy says he understands Carlos Tevez's frustration at Manchester United.

I sympathise with Tevez's situation at United. When you play really well and contribute to such a brilliant season as he did last term, winning the Champions League and Premier League, it is a shame to then be pushed out by new signings.

That said, Dimitar Berbatov is a wonderful player too, and a team like United needs a squad of players. Ultimately, it's a case of who is happy to play less and rotate, but Tevez hasn't played in a lot of the big games and those are the ones you want to participate in.

It is always frustrating to find yourself on the fringes if you care about playing. Some players are happy to be a squad player but I've always found it very difficult. When you are younger you accept it more as it is part of learning the trade, but as I've got older playing is everything to me.

It is a reward for training all week. That's why I think sometimes players have to leave clubs where they are happy. I know Tevez has a great relationship with the fans but for his own benefit and happiness he might find he has to go.

When I was at Tottenham it was really frustrating because it was a great club and I wanted to do well, but I was only playing sporadically and in that situation you never feel like you can show what you have got to offer.

Your everyday life aside from footballer can suffer, too. Sometimes you have to leave for your own self worth and that is what happened when I moved from Liverpool.

The new manager Rafa Benitez came in and fortunately showed me enough respect to say I might not be a regular any more with the new people coming in.

For me it was a very difficult decision and I have had to come to terms with it, but I didn't want to end my days there not playing as I have wonderful memories from my time there. You want to be appreciated by a manager rather than have him feeling like he is stuck with you. That's not healthy.

As for Tevez's owners' valuation of £30 million, I'm not sure any players are worth that much apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo because they score so many goals and can win matches on their own.

They are the two best players in the world and, while Tevez is a fantastic player, he isn't up to that level. I think that is partly why United have stalled on buying him. We will have to see how it all unfolds.

Third-party ownership is strange and we are not used to it in this country. I don't think it helps the player because the future is out of his hands and dictated by other people.

It might be common in South America but I don't think there is any future for it over here. I don't think the players I know would be at all happy being owned by a third party.

Danny Murphy / Eurosport

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Man Utd on brink of title at Wigan

Wed 13 May, 01:20 AM

AFP/Carl de Souza

WIGAN, England (AFP) - Manchester United can move to within one point of wrapping up a third straight Premier League title by beating Wigan here on Wednesday.

But Sir Alex Ferguson's stars have been warned by France defender Patrice Evra that they could yet throw the title away if they allow any hint of complacency to creep in ahead of their trip to the JJB Stadium.

The World Club champions and Champions League finalists will move six points clear of Liverpool at the summit with two games remaining if they defeat their mid-table opponents.

That will leave Sir Alex Ferguson's side requiring a point at home to Arsenal on Saturday to equal Liverpool's record of 18 English titles.

Yet Evra is taking nothing for granted as he eyes his own third Premier League winners medal since moving to Old Trafford from Monaco in January 2006.

"We're nearly there," said Evra. "If we win against Wigan, it will be very important for winning the title. But it's not finished yet.

"We have a Champions League final to look forward to, but we have to put that to the back of our minds and concentrate on the league.

"The manager tells us we need to win every game. At Manchester United the aim is always to win.

"In March we lost to Liverpool and Fulham, the first time since I arrived that we'd lost two league games in a row.

"I've never felt pain like that in my life before and I don't want to feel like that again.

"That's why I'm confident we'll finish the job and go on and win the league."

Liverpool's form and superior goal difference means United will almost certainly have to win at least one of their remaining three matches to be sure of the title.

As a result, Ferguson will be keen to get the job done here rather than having to rely on beating either Arsenal or Hull on the final day of the season when Phil Brown's side may be playing for Premier League survival.

History suggests United should take the three points however. United have not lost a league game against Wigan and the last time they visited the JJB Stadium they left with the Premier League trophy after winning 2-0 to clinch the title on the final day of last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in that victory yet the Portugal winger could be rested this time as Ferguson rotates his squad following Sunday's 2-0 victory over Manchester City.

Ronaldo reacted with a display of petulance when he was substituted after scoring against City yet Ferguson refused to criticise the player afterwards.

Carlos Tevez, whose future remains unclear, may make way for Wayne Rooney even though the Argentina striker scored against City. Tevez celebrated his goal by running to the main stand and cupping his ear as fans chanted "Fergie, Fergie sign him up".

Evra is close friends with Tevez, whose two year loan at the club expires in the summer.

"I am very pleased for Carlitos. Whenever he plays, he respects the shirt of Manchester United. He is a great professional," added Evra.

Wigan are managed by former United captain Steve Bruce, who insists he will put sentiment to one side as he looks to delay his former club's title party.

Having enjoyed a largely successful season, Wigan have picked up just one point from the last five games and Bruce is anxious his players finish on a winning note.

Wigan captain Mario Melchiot revealed that Bruce let rip after Saturday's 3-1 defeat at West Brom.

"The gaffer was understandably upset," said Holland international Melchiot.

"It's a big game coming up against Manchester United which is going to be tough, but it's one we're looking forward to.

"The big games are always special occasions and we hope to perform a lot better."

Wigan will be without Egypt striker Amr Zaki because of a knee injury while former England keeper Chris Kirkland is also struggling with a back injury.

Ferguson will give late fitness tests to centrebacks Rio Ferdinand, who missed the derby match with a calf strain, and Jonny Evans, who limped out of the win over City with a hamstring problem.

John O'Shea will partner Nemanja Vidic if neither Ferdinand nor Evans is fit to play.

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Man U one point away from EPL title

Tevez takes United to brink of title

Eurosport - Wed, 13 May 22:58:00 2009

Carlos Tevez inspired a second-half comeback as Manchester United moved to the brink of the Premier League title with a 2-1 win at Wigan.

The Argentine came off the bench to cancel out Hugo Rodallega's opening goal in spectacular fashion, before Michael Carrick netted a cool winner five minutes from time.

United need just one point from their final two games to retain the title, and can do so in front of their Old Trafford crowd against Arsenal on Saturday.

Tevez, who appears set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, has been the subject of fevered transfer speculation in recent days, but it was his contribution on the pitch that left United fans open-mouthed.

Having started the match on the bench, the 25-year-old produced an outrageously inventive back flick to turn in a low Carrick ball just after the hour mark.

Tevez has complained about United's reluctance to turn a two-year loan into a permanent deal, but if he had played all season like he has the last two games - he scored a fine goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday - perhaps his future at Old Trafford might already be secured.

The bald truth is that six Premier League goals in 29 appearances are not the work of a £30 million striker. Yet if he does go, this goal will be some parting gift.

On a wet night at the JJB Stadium, United missed a host of chances before Rodallega's opportunistic opener. Wayne Rooney had the best of those in the 10th minute, when he peeled away unmarked in the box to meet Dimitar Berbatov's clipped cross.

Yet somehow the England striker headed wide with Richard Kingson's goal at his mercy.

A minute later a clearly furious Rooney started another attack, and United worked the ball around magnificently through Paul Scholes, Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo to Carrick, who lifted his shot just over.

But United were not alone in their profligacy. With less than two minutes on the clock Antonio Valencia nicked the ball past Jonny Evans - still standing in for the injured Rio Ferdinand - and raced clean through on goal.

But the Ecuadorean sent his attempted chip just wide, possibly distracted by the presence of Nemanja Vidic on his shoulder.

Another Evans slip let Rodallega through in similar fashion, and although he got his shot on target from 20 yards it never seriously tested Edwin van der Sar.

There was nothing the goalkeeper could do on 28 minutes, when Rodallega and Vidic jumped for a header, the ball looped up and both players momentarily lost their bearings, but the Colombian reacted quickest and fired a low shot past Van der Sar at the near post.

A livid Vidic thought he had been impeded, and his backchat to referee Rob Styles earned him a stern talking-to. Ronaldo's unhappiness at being denied what he deemed a clear penalty added to United's foul mood, and they left the field for half-time under a collective storm cloud.

The Portuguese was down in the Wigan box again after the break, having lost his balance following a Maynor Figueroa challenge.

Alex Ferguson has grown to tolerate Ronaldo's pouting, but the 24-year-old's histrionics while the ball was still in play and in the Wigan area will not have pleased his manager.

Ronaldo, having scored free-kicks in his last two matches, hit three poor efforts straight into the Wigan wall and produced several other wayward shots.

What seemed like a night to forget came good just three minutes after Tevez's introduction just before the hour.

Carrick drove a diagonal attempted shot in from the right, the Argentine had no time to set himself but did not have to, propelling the ball into the bottom-right corner with a flick of his right boot.

As time wound down, Carrick made another telling contribution. John O'Shea played a low ball to the edge of the box from the right and the midfielder guided a fine left-foot shot into the top-left corner.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

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Fergie: I want to keep Tevez

Eurosport - Wed, 13 May 23:18:00 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson insisted he wants Carlos Tevez to stay at Old Trafford after the Argentinian scored in Manchester United's 2-1 win at Wigan.

Tevez equalised with an impudent back-heel after Hugo Rodallega had given the Latics a first-half lead before Michael Carrick scored an 86th-minute winner to leave United only a point away from retaining their Premier League title.

Tevez's future has been in the spotlight over the past few days, with the former West Ham player quoted in a Sunday newspaper saying he does not expect to stay at the champions.

However, following the victory at the JJB Stadium, Ferguson told Sky: "He is a fantastic player.

"He knows I want him to stay. I had a chat with him today and (chief executive) David Gill has had meetings with him.

"I'm sorry I have to keep on going on about this, it has never changed. (The fact) we're not negotiating with a football club is the problem - we'll see."

Carrick paid tribute to Wigan following his late strike, saying: ''It (my goal) was worth the wait.

''To score goals as important as that is a great feeling - I had to make up for the miss in the first half, it's a great feeling.

''Wigan came at us and caused a few problems.

''It's not the first time we have come from behind - we did it the hard way.''

PA Sport / Eurosport

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Match facts: Man Utd v Arsenal

Eurosport - Thu, 14 May 15:36:00 2009

A look at the key facts and stats ahead of the potential Premier League decider at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have won their last seven league games, scoring at least twice in each match.

The last 15 Premier League games between United and Arsenal have seen five wins each and five draws.

Arsenal have never scored more than one goal in a Premier League game at Old Trafford.

The Gunners have scored a total of only seven goals in 16 Premier League matches at the Theatre of Dreams.

United have scored either no goals or two goals in their last seven Premier League home games against Arsenal.

Arsenal have conceded eight goals in their last two league games against Big Four sides.

Manchester United have won only one of their five games against Big Four rivals this season.

Nicklas Bendtner has scored three goals in Arsenal's last two league games.

Andrey Arshavin has six goals and seven assists for Arsenal in 12 starts for the club (all comps).

Wayne Rooney has scored five goals against Arsenal, only against four clubs has he been more prolific.

Only in two previous Premier League seasons have Arsenal conceded more goals after 36 games than this campaign. (1994-95 & 2002-03).

Opta

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Focus on the future

15/05/2009 22:30, Report by Mark Froggatt

Sir Alex Ferguson claims he will get no satisfaction from equalling Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles, should United retain the Premier League against Arsenal on Saturday.

The United boss told his pre-match press conference: “For me, I am not looking at equalling anyone. I think we should be looking at ourselves and this team has got a bit to go yet.

“They could go on and win another five titles. That is more exciting for me and is the prospect that resonates with me far more than equalling others. The squad is young enough to win more titles and hopefully they can do it.â€

As United legends Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville all approach the home straight of their careers, Sir Alex cannot help but compare his wise old heads with the current crop of youngsters at Old Trafford:

“We have got a lot of young players in the squad right now and that is healthy," he said. "Obviously we hope the dinosaurs like Giggs, Scholes and Neville will last another two years. It would be wonderful to think that because by that time I think the young players will have benefitted from it. But it is a very young squad and we are excited by that.

“I try to think about what Giggs was like at that age, when Scholes and Neville were still learning with great potential. I think the younger ones like Welbeck, Evans, Gibson, Macheda and Rafael have the same potential, there's no question about that.

“They are also playing at a higher level than when Ryan, Gary and Paul came into the team so that makes it more difficult for them. We try to equate the circumstances of those players.â€

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We are the CHAMPIONS !!!...again for the 18th times.

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Rafa refuses to congratulate Fergie...Lousy Sportsmanship !!!

Ferguson's win leaves bitter taste in Benitez' mouth

17 May 2009 10:05

Rafael Benitez extended his feud with Sir Alex Ferguson by refusing to congratulate the Manchester United manager for his title triumph, following Liverpool's 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion which saw the losers relegated to the Championship.

The Spaniard has been daggers drawn with his opposite number at Old Trafford all season in an intriguing side-show to the challenge for the title between their two sides and he remained bitter towards the Glaswegian 24 hours after having to concede defeat to United.

Benitez was asked if he would like to extend his congratulations to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United for winning the title.

"I will say congratulations to Manchester United. I prefer to say that to them," said the Spaniard.

But when pressed further to extend his congratulations to Ferguson in person, Benitez would only say: "They are a big club and a good club. I normally show respect and be polite to other managers at the end of the season.

"But there have been a lot of things I dont like this season. I say congratulations to Manchester United because they have won the title, but that is it."

Liverpool assured themselves of first place and Benitez feels he has laid down a marker this season in extending United to such lengths and he could not resist a further dig at Ferguson when asked to define what have been the deciding factors in the title race.

"They have had better quality on the bench. When they played us they had Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov on the bench. I am really pleased that we have got 83 points with the squad we have. When you are prepared to pay 20million pounds or 30million pounds for players it is easier to win the title," he added.

Benitez will not be taking any disciplinary action over the on-the-field row between Alvaro Arbeloa and Jamie Carragher after the pair squared up to each other in the second half.

Carragher and the Spanish defender almost came to blows as a row over positional play escalated on the field.

"I don't like it, but we wanted to keep a clean sheet for Pepe. It also showed that we have a positive mentality and a character not to concede a goal," said Benitez.

Albion's Roman Bednar is facing the sack from West Bromwich Albion when club chairman Jeremy Peace finishes the internal investigation into allegations of the Czech Republic striker purchasing drugs.

Bednar has been suspended by Albion, following revelations in a Sunday tabloid, allegedly picturing the Albion player purchasing cocaine and cannabis near his West Midlands home.

He was removed from the squad to face Liverpool at the Hawthorns yesterday and is now facing a battle to save his career - following pictures of him handing over money to allegedly pay for class A drugs.

Albion manager Tony Mowbray is understood to feel hugely let down by the player, who allegedly admitted buying drugs for a friend and wants the club to take the strongest possible sanctions against the 27-year-old.

"The club have taken action by suspending Roman and until they can get to the bottom of it, I don't really want to say too much more. Of course I don't condone drugs in sport," said Mowbray.

"Until we have all the details that is all we should say about it. It did not disrupt our preparation.

"I had to speak to the players about it in the morning before the game, because that is what everyone was talking about, but it did not disrupt us.

"I would prefer to talk about the magnificent way our team played and the fantastic support we were given by the fans.

"I want to concentrate on them and doing something for them next season and getting them back into the Premier League."

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Waste Time lah !!!

Liverpool match in S’pore will see 50,000 tickets priced at S$88

18 May 2009 07:08

SINGAPORE: Despite not winning the English Premier League title, Liverpool still won over hearts with their entertaining football this season.

And now Singaporean fans will get to see their heroes in the flesh when Liverpool play at the National Stadium on July 26.

The Liverpool team, with the likes of Michael Owen, last visited Singapore in 2001.

The Reds’ return trip to the island and another one in Thailand will be used as a tune—up for the new 2009/2010 season.

However, fans will have to pay a premium to catch the Reds.

Fans will have to fork out S$88 for each of the 50,000 gallery and lower grandstand seats, while seats in the upper grandstand will go for S$188.

But the trip is not just about commercial gains, as some young local footballers will get to train with the team when they are here.

Ian Ayre, Commercial Director, Liverpool FC, said: "It’s a place where we know we have a lot of fans, so it means more than just turning up and playing a pre—season game. It is part of the foundation of continuing to build what is already a great club and great fan base.

“Obviously we want to grow that and we want to be more touchable, and 'feel—able’ and interact with our fans all over the world."

— CNA/yt

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Bro, why don't you show up with a bunch of Man U fans in jerseys waving a champions banner? That should be quite fun...

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Sure only if U wear the same jersey as we do.

Bro, why don't you show up with a bunch of Man U fans in jerseys waving a champions banner? That should be quite fun...

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World Cup qual - Neville earns shock England call

Eurosport - Sun, 24 May 21:25:00 2009

England coach Fabio Capello surprisingly named Manchester United's veteran defender Gary Neville in his 24-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.

The 34-year-old Neville, United's club captain, made the last of his 85 England appearances against Spain in 2007 and is no longer a regular first choice at his club after battling with injuries for the last two seasons.

Capello also recalled Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson who made the last of his 41 international appearances when England lost to Russia in a Euro 2008 qualifier in 2007.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermaine Defoe was included after injury kept him out of England's first three internationals of the year.

Capello, however, will be without first-choice goalkeeper David James of Portsmouth and Ben Foster of Manchester United who are both injured.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka and Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing are also missing because of injuries which are unlikely to heal before the start of next season.

Capello will be keeping his fingers crossed that the Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton players come through their next matches unscathed.

United face Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday and Chelsea and Everton meet in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

England top Group Six with five successive wins from their and victories in Kazakhstan and against Andorra at Wembley would virtually seal their place in next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Squad

Goalkeepers

Scott Carson (West Bromwich Albion), Robert Green (West Ham United), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)

Defenders

Wayne Bridge (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Gary Neville (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United)

Midfielders

Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (AC Milan), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Forwards

Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Reuters

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Dun MISS IT for the World folks !!!

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The last look at the weekend

By The Fifth official

May 25, 2009

Toon Doon, Deeper and Doon

Noel Gallagher will have been a happy man having opined in the build up to 'Doom Sunday': "I hope Newcastle go down. There's no better sight than seeing fat topless Geordies crying." I'm sure they'd like a half decent Oasis album one of these days, Noel - but I'll tell them not to hold their breath, eh?

Noel got his wish after the Toon demonstrated exactly why they deserve relegation and the financial meltdown that comes with it. If their players deserve to become Championship fodder the board deserve to be parachute-paymented straight down to the Conference. Where to start with those clowns? Shunning Kevin Keegan in favour of Dennis Wise? Employing Joe Kinnear? Leaving Chris Hughton in charge for five games before appointing Shearer? Appointing Shearer?

The pie-guzzling cry babies in the away end managed to splutter their way through a final burst of ''Shearer! Shearer!'' at Villa Park despite just one win in his eight games in charge, while most of the players at least had the good grace to look a bit dejected. But like actors dredging up painful childhood memories in order to cry for a role, they were probably just mourning the fact that their freeloading days on monster wages are well and truly over.

How to boil an idiot

The beneficiaries of yet another spineless Newcastle display were Hull City and Phil Brown. A true measure of how terrible the Toon have been this season is that they were beaten to survival by a side with one win in 22 games, who have returned a staggering eight points since Christmas.

Despite this near-crippling run of form it was all smiles at the final whistle before some goon handed Brown a live microphone so he could screech something about this being ''the best ride'' he's ever been on in no discernable musical key. Funnily enough he didn't manage to squeeze a line in about his horrendous on-field team talk at Man City or his inflammatory comments before he took hapless Hull to Sunderland. Now he can add making a fool of himself in front of the world to his long list of proud achievements in the Tigers inaugural top flight campaign.

Believe me, there was nothing positive to come from his diabolical ditty but we can at least take one small shred of comfort from the fact that he had the good grace to warble down the mic THEN get stuck into the red wine rather than Delia Smith, who famously did it the other way round.

Fergie's integrity: Intact

Fergie escaped from Hull with Manchester United's reputation intact and swerved the savaging that surely would have ensued had they rolled over and succumbed. He may as well have played United's under 14-side at the KC, or just fielded 11 brown paper bags with faces drawn on in black marker pen. Either side would still have won comfortably.

As it was Darron Gibson extraordinary strike was enough for the reserves, who should have scored four or five if the two kids up front hadn't had their own game of Hoggy all afternoon, shunning glaringly obvious passes to each other in favour of trying to beat five players before nutmegging the 'keeper.

Lord Fergie was grinning like a Cheshire cat at the final whistle as his big mate Browny toasted survival. The only surprise is that Ferg didn't turn MC too and smash some phat ryhmes down the pipe or provide backing for Brown in the shape of some human beatboxing. Rome is next for him and his well rested superstars.

The leaving Legends

If you added together Tugay and Sami Hyypia's Premier League years you'd have someone old enough to wander into their local, slam three English pounds on the fake-pine bar and coolly order half a mild. Their respective cheerios couldn't have been more contrasting though.

You may have noticed in the course of the season that I'm not a massive fan of Sam Allardyce but this time he got it spot on, affording Tugay the decency of 85 minutes playing time before his eight years of loyal service were toasted warmly by a slight titter of applause from six flat-capped pensioners and a gaggle of greyhounds who had somehow found the courage to take on an afternoon watching Blackburn and West Brom on a rare sunny day in Lancashire.

Miserly old Rafa didn't afford Sami such luxuries though, forcing him to warm up for the same amount of time Tugay played before finally giving him a whopping six minutes of action at Anfield. He clearly means a bit more to his team-mates though, who hoisted the sobbing Finn shoulder high so he could say a proper goodbye to the Kop once and for all after a decade in Red. Fare-thee-well, wise old men.

I, Sbragia

Sunderland also had reason to celebrate as they can now lay claim to the title of 'most Northerly Premier League football club'. Their paltry tally of 36 points would normally be enought to condemn any side to the Championship too but thank the Lord for their nonsense North-East neighbours.

Immediately after the game Ricky Sbragia and chairman Niall Quinn immediately located the nearest TV camera and washed their dirty hoisery in public - providing the sort of breaking news moment pompous media monolith Sky lives and breathes for. Ricky looked about as comfortable as a fish in a microwave when he mumbled something about a bigger name being required, although he failed to elaborate on why a club who has just scraped survival by the skin of their teeth deserve any kind of big name at all. Didn't work last time did it?

Niall, a terribly nice bloke, described how Ricky, a terribly nice bloke himself, was a terribly nice bloke and that he was brilliant and that he had a job for life at the club.

I, for one, will miss good 'ol Sbragia-y. The Black Cats may get a bigger name but will it be as hard to pronounce or spell? We live in hope.

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Busacca to take charge of Champions League Final

25 May 2009 03:03

Massimo Busacca of Switzerland was announced Monday by UEFA as the referee for the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.

Wednesday's match in Rome's Stadio Olimpico will be Busacca's second European club final, after the all-Spanish UEFA Cup title match between Sevilla and Espanyol in 2007.

The 40-year-old Busacca was in charge when Barcelona and Manchester met in the semifinals of last season's Champions League.

He awarded visiting Man United a penalty for a handball after only three minutes of the first-leg match, though Cristiano Ronaldo shot wide. The match ended scoreless and the Red Devils won 1-0 at Old Trafford to reach the final, where they beat Chelsea.

Busacca has officiated in 32 Champions League matches in his career, including United's 1-0 win at FC Porto to advance to the semifinals as one of six this season.

UEFA also appointed Busacca to referee the 2008 European Championship semifinal between Germany and Turkey.

FIFA has selected Busacca on its list of referees for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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United turn the clock back to 1991 and wear all-white

26 May 2009 11:36

By Mike Collett

ROME - Manchester United will play in an all-white strip when they face Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday, just as they did when they beat them in the 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

United are designated as the "away" team at the Stadio Olimpico which meant Barcelona had first choice of strip and opted to play in their traditional blue and red kit.

As United's first strip is red and their second is blue, they decided to play in all-white, the colours of Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Ferguson laughed when he was reminded at a news conference on Tuesday that the last time Barcelona faced a team wearing all-white they beat them 6-2 -- the margin of Barcelona's victory over Real on May 2.

"That was not a defeat, that was an annihilation," responded Ferguson.

"We had to change our strip and our first two strips clashed, but we are very happy to be wearing white -- very happy -- and we are better than Madrid," he joked.

United wore all-blue when they won the European Cup in 1968 and their traditional red-and-white kit when they won in 1999 and last year. Barcelona wore an all-orange kit when they won in 1992 and their traditional kit when they beat Arsenal in 2006.

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Chelsea unveil new manager Ancelotti

Ancelotti vows to bring European glory to Chelsea

01 June 2009 03:42

Carlo Ancelotti has vowed to fulfil Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's desire for Champions League success after the Italian was appointed as Blues manager on Monday.

Less than 24 hours after stepping down as AC Milan coach, Ancelotti signed a three-year contract with the Premier League club, worth an estimated 6.5 million pounds a year (7.4 million euros).

The Italian, who succeeds Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge, was targeted by Chelsea owner Abramovich because of his impressive track record in Europe's elite club competition.

Ancelotti led Milan to Champions League victory in 2003 against Juventus and 2007 against Liverpool, as well as reaching the 2005 final, where his team were beaten by Liverpool.

As if that wasn't enough to get Abramovich's attention, Ancelotti also won the European Cup twice with Milan during his playing days.

Since Abramovich purchased Chelsea in 2003, he has seen his team come agonisingly close to European glory. In the 2008 final, when penalty shoot-out misses from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka gifted Manchester United the trophy, while the Blues have also lost four semi-finals against Monaco, Liverpool twice and, most painfully, Barcelona this season.

Ancelotti, who will start work on July 1, knows the pressure will be on him to reproduce his European success at the Bridge.

"There will be the same pressure at Chelsea because Chelsea and Milan are great teams in Europe and they want to win all the competitions so I think there will be the same pressure," he told Chelsea TV.

"For me the Champions League is a beautiful sensation. When I was a player I won the tournament two times, in 1989 and 1990.

"It was a fantastic moment and the same when I was a coach with Milan in 2003 and 2007. The Champions League for me is the best competition in the world and everyone wants to win it.

"Chelsea have a great record, five semi-finals in six years is a beautiful score but now we have to win it.

"There will be the same pressure at Chelsea because Chelsea and Milan are great teams in Europe and they want to win all the competitions so I think there will be the same pressure."

Ancelotti, who has also coached Juventus and Parma, will be managing outside Italy for the first time.

But the former Italy midfielder insists he will have no problem adapting to life in the Premier League because he is already a big fan of the English game.

The 49-year-old also spoke to Andriy Shevchenko, the Chelsea striker who has been on loan at Milan this season, to find out more about the club.

"I see the matches always on television. I like the Premier League because there are great teams who play good football. It is very speedy. I like English football," he said.

"In Italy, now and before, the matches are more tactical, the team thinks to defend well and only after to attack.

"I watch Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and I know English football very well. Chelsea have a great team, great players and a strong team. I'd like to stay here."

After spluttering under Luiz Felipe Scolari earlier this season, Chelsea were revitalised by Hiddink, losing just one of 22 matches under the Dutchman and winning the FA Cup.

It was Hiddink's astute man-management style that most impressed Chelsea's star-filled dressing room. Players like club captain John Terry and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba bought into Hiddink's philosophy and Ancelotti is determined to create a similiar atmosphere.

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Real's 'Galactico' president signs Pellegrini, Zidane

01 June 2009 14:27

Florentino Perez, the inspiration behind the Real Madrid 'Galacticos', launched his second term as president on Monday by bringing in Chile's Manuel Pellegrini as the club's new coach and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a top advisor.

The club also announced former Argentine striker and coach Jorge Valdano as its new director general.

"Real Madrid C.F. and Manuel Pellegrini have reached a deal for the Chilean to become the first team head coach," Real said in a statement.

It said he would be officially presented at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday.

He replaces Juande Ramos, who began a six-month contract in mid-December in place of Germany's Bernd Schuster.

Pellegrini, 55, a qualified civil engineer, joined Villareal in 2004 from River Plate of Argentina and was under contract with the club until 2010.

In his first season there, Villareal qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in La Liga. Last season, they were second behind champions Real Madrid.

In a speech on taking office Monday, the 62-year-old Perez vowed to build "the best club of the 21st century.

"We will devote all our effort to building a spectacular team with great players who are role models on and off the pitch. A club where ethics are indestructible and where solidarity will be a basic cornerstone of behaviour," he said.

The construction magnate is retaking the reins of Real, Spain's historically most successful team and the world's richest football club by revenues, for the next four years after standing unopposed in elections for president.

Real had been led on an interim basis by Vicente Boluda after Ramon Calderon stepped down in January following allegations that he rigged voting at the club's last annual general assembly in December.

Perez led Real from 2000 to 2006, when it earned the nickname "Los Galacticos", winning the Primera Liga twice and European Champions League with such stars as Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Michael Owen.

Zidane's transfer from Juventus in 2000 cost Real a world record 75 million euros.

The former France captain now becomes "adviser to the president" at Real.

Perez had promised to give both Zidane and Valdano senior positions at Real if his comeback bid was successful. Valdano had acted as Real's sports director during his last term in office.

He has not mentioned any names regarding top signings but Spanish media speculate that Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool's Spanish star Xabi Alonso and AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka are all in his sights for next season.

"We must recover the dreams, stability and lost time," said Perez. "The road ahead will be difficult, but we have the passion and necessary ideas to overcome the great challenges of this complicated time."

Perez had quit Real in 2006 after the club went a third straight season without a trophy, its worst run in more than half a century, but he has remained popular with supporters.

This season, the club's arch-rivals Barcelona won a unique treble of league, Spanish Cup and Champions League trophies under debutante coach Pep Guardiola.

Real finished second in La Liga and exited the first knockout stage of the Champions League for the fifth straight season.

It ended the season on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to lowly Osasuna.

[kueytoc]

Wayne wants central role

05/06/2009 09:23, Report by Steve Bartram

Wayne Rooney admits he may have to become more selfish to secure himself his preferred role as a central striker in Sir Alex Ferguson's blueprint.

The firebrand Merseysider is relishing the chance to line up as England's out-and-out forward against Kazakhstan this weekend, having been deployed on the left side of United's attack during the latter stages of the season.

“The position I play for England is the one I like playing most,†Rooney told a press conference. "I haven’t played that position for a while for United.

"When you're playing out on the left you have responsibilities to get back a bit more. Sometimes that takes away a bit of energy from your attacking.

"It’s the manager’s choice. I’ve always said my best position is playing up front. Maybe I need to be more selfish to get the role I want."

Rooney enjoyed his second-highest scoring season with United last term, bagging 20 goals from 49 appearances.

Rooney's scoring record

2004/05: 37 (6) appearances, 17 goals

2005/06: 44 (4) appearances, 19 goals

2006/07: 51 (4) appearances, 23 goals

2007/08: 39 (4) appearances, 18 goals

2008/09: 39(10) appearances, 20 goals

Total: 210 (28) appearances, 97 goals

[kueytoc]

08/09 Review: Ferdinand

05/06/2009 09:18

A defensive cornerstone and regular wearer of the captain's armband, Rio has continued to set standards...

When it comes to raising the bar, United are masters. This season it was the Reds’ defending that hit new heights, with the contribution by Rio Ferdinand central to the mid-season surge that provided a title-winning platform. The England centre-half also played a hefty part as Edwin van der Sar enjoyed a virtually trouble-free passage to a new league shutout record.

Start to finish: Ferdinand was one of five Reds shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the Londoner barely put a foot wrong in the league this season. He may have been (marginally) overshadowed by the fortitude of Nemanja Vidic, but his consistency was instrumental to the Reds’ resolute defensive effort. Following a brief absence from the side at the start of April, having suffered a groin injury on international duty, his importance to the side was made crystal clear when he returned. Shutouts against Porto and Everton ensued, and the United defence recaptured its air of invincibility.

In position: Ferdinand did, as ever, lend his aerial prowess to United’s attacking set-pieces, but otherwise

tended to sit tight in his centre-half berth, doing what he does best. Vidic was his main defensive partner, though he and Jonny Evans also impressed.

Season highlight: Reds fans trooped away from Stamford Bridge in September disappointed that a late equaliser had denied United the victory required to ignite the title defence. Yet Rio had put in an immense shift to ensure that United didn’t leave west London empty-handed. Facing a sustained second-half Chelsea surge, Ferdinand galvanised those alongside him to keep Drogba and Anelka at bay.

Vital contribution: Ferdinand’s biggest impact was the way he helped young Evans seamlessly slot into the side in September. Evans repaid his mentor by confidently standing in for him over the new year.

Any lows? Ferdinand’s back problems meant Sir Alex had to do without his defensive lynchpin for most of January. The defender did, though, make a swift recovery from the groin injury that threatened to derail the end of his season. Any other business? He’s got two years to go on his current contract, but Rio told GQ magazine he’s thinking about the future: “I wake up more and more thinking that I’d like to be a manager,†he said.

[kueytoc]

The title in two minutes

16/05/2009 15:00

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We’re not holding our breath, but one day the facts – a popular word this season – might stack up enough for the penny to drop elsewhere. Cast your minds back to 1998/99. Notice any similarities? In that season United won two of the opening five games. Crisis, they said. Whatever. Last season? Slow start. This season? Slow start. There’s a pattern emerging.

Chelsea, under ‘Big Phil’ Scolari, made hay in the early-season sunshine. A(nother) new dawn broke over Eastlands. And Liverpool stirred their loins. All the while we waited in the wings, and when the supporting cast had delivered their best lines and started to ad lib, the leading men assumed centre stage, parts learned off by heart, roles well-defined and well-rehearsed. Lights, camera, action!

By October’s end and a 2-0 victory over West Ham – in which the newly-crowned World Footballer of the Year (Ronny, who else?) bagged his first league brace of the campaign – the boss had started to talk about “a momentum that I believe will take some stoppingâ€. New boys Hull showed the teeth that had characterised the Tigers’ pre-Christmas campaign, leaving Old Trafford after a spirited 4-3 defeat, but, to quote the bard of Stretford, Morrissey, November spawned a monster – especially if you happened to be an opposing striker. For the 13 league games after the 2-1 reverse at Arsenal that followed Hull, our defence turned away all-comers, setting a British record shut-out of 1,311 minutes into the bargain.

To prove we’re not just take, take, take, we even offered Newcastle fans a rare moment of cheer as Peter Lovenkrands put the ball past Edwin van der Sar – the first time we’d gone behind since January. But in between, we’d won at Eastlands, returned from Japan with the Club World Cup, battered Stoke 5-0 (ton-up for Ronny), and made the Champions League knockout stage as group winners. Paul Scholes was back in the fold and the next generation had taken us to the Carling Cup final. Phew.

And so, here we are: champions once again. It wasn’t a sprint, it was a marathon, but we entered the final straight, firing on all cylinders to reach our third title in a row for the second time under Sir Alex Ferguson – something no English club has achieved before. Brilliant season? That’s a fact.