Rio Ferdinand set for amazing Manchester United return

19.08.11

RIO FERDINAND is poised for a sensational return for Manchester United against Tottenham on Monday night.

It would be a huge boost for United - AND England coach Fabio Capello.

Ferdinand feared he would be out for 10 weeks with a hamstring injury picked up against West Brom in the season's opener on Sunday. But the centre-back, 32, has made a staggering recovery.

And he is now back in the frame for England's crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers in Bulgaria and at home to Wales in September.

But United boss Alex Ferguson has had bad news on skipper Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian defender is out for SIX WEEKS with the groin injury he picked up against the Baggies - a month longer than first thought.

Wesley Sneijder is still on Manchester United’s radar

19.08.11

MANCHESTER UNITED have not given up on landing Wesley Sneijder and are prepared to wait until transfer-deadline day.

Dutch midfield ace Sneijder, 27, is desperate for the £35million move from Inter Milan to go through.

But president Massimo Moratti says he is "going nowhere".

United are now happy to sit back and see the pair resolve their differences.

Sneijder has been told he can expect at least a five-year Old Trafford deal but will have to drop his £200,000-a-week wage demands to £140,000.

Wesley Sneijder will battle the Inter Milan president to clinch his dream move to Manchester United

WESLEY SNEIJDER will have to go to war with his club president Massimo Moratti to get his dream move to Manchester United.

SunSport revealed yesterday that Dutch ace Sneijder, 27, was so desperate for a move from Inter Milan to Old Trafford that he would slash his pay demands by £60,000 a week to £140,000.

But with striker Samuel Eto'o now on his way out of the San Siro to big-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, Inter do not want to lose another major star.

Moratti said: "Sneijder was untouchable before the situation with Eto'o and he has become even more so now Eto'o could leave.

"Sneijder is going nowhere."

With the Eto'o transfer almost done and dusted, that could open the door for Manchester City's Carlos Tevez to get his desired move out of the Etihad.

However, Moratti believes the £50million price tag City have put on the Argentine hitman's head will scupper any deal.

The Inter chief admitted: "It will be difficult to sort an agreement for the City striker."

Rio Ferdinand has faith in Manchester United's next generation

RIO FERDINAND believes getting the sweet taste of success is an essential part of Manchester United's graduation process.

United opened their Premier League title defence with a 2-1 victory at West Brom on Sunday — and they did it with a side rammed full of young players.

Once Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic had departed through injury at the Hawthorns, there were seven United players aged 24 or under on the pitch.

Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson has clearly decided his kids are good enough to carry the fight, which is just as well given he will be without his first-choice central defensive pairing for the upcoming home games against Tottenham and Arsenal.

But even before he suffered the hamstring injury that has scuppered his chances of being involved in United's opening Champions League game and England's Euro 2012 double-header against Bulgaria and Wales next month, Ferdinand was noting what the experience of winning can do for a young player's career.

He said: "Getting that continuity, that smell and taste of success is something that all the young guys who have come into the squad and not won anything yet need to feel.

"They need to sense it and become a part of it. I am sure they will enjoy doing that this year."

Even from the sidelines, Ferdinand's input over the next six weeks is bound to be important.

The former West Ham star, 32, remains one of the most mentally tough members of Ferguson's squad and his advice to the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans will be invaluable as they try to subdue the Premier League's most potent strike forces.

And Ferdinand can offer his own insight into the times when United do not gain success.

Although he won the title in his first season following a then record £29.1million move from Leeds in 2002, Ferdinand missed out on the main prize for the following three seasons.

But that proved to be the prelude to a golden era of four championships in five years — they missed a complete clean sweep by a single point — and three Champions League final appearances in four years.

Ferdinand said: "Maybe people will look back and say this was a golden period. It is certainly up there as one of the most successful periods in the club's history.

"It is great to be part of it because the memories of not winning things are awful. We won the league the first season I was here, then went three years on the bounce without winning it.

"This place is like a morgue after losing a game, it is depressing. You don't want to walk to the shops and you are embarrassed walking anywhere.

"If you want to be successful, you have to remember those feelings and hope they don't come back."

Michael Owen goes to pieces over horse-themed jigsaw puzzle

Manchester United striker Michael Owen's latest endeavour off the pitch isn't buying a new car or going on holiday - it's trying to complete a 1000-piece horse-inspired jigsaw puzzle. 
Owen posted the picture (below) on his Twitter account early on Thursday, saying he was about to 'embark on the biggest challenge of his life'.  

But a short time later the 31-year-old appeared to be going to pieces over the magnitude of what was in front of him and appealed to his followers to give some tips on how to get the piece it all together.

Unfortunately Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't on hand to help figure out the conundrum and Owen was forced to go it alone. 

Almost two hours after he'd emptied the contents over his kitchen table Owen then announced that he'd barely been able to connect four pieces and find the edges, much to amusement of his 600,000 followers. 

He consequently gave up on the idea, instead tuning in to the radio to hear his horse Electric Qatar race at York.

However, it was not to be Owen's day, as the thoroughbred came a disappointing 11th.

WBA manager Roy Hodgson optimistic about Owen Hargreaves's fitness

•  Hodgson confident Owen Hargreaves is fit to play
• • Expects competition for midfielder's signature

The midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, is the subject of interest from West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/Press Association

West Bromwich Albion have held further talks with Owen Hargreaves and are confident that the former Manchester United player will pass a full medical if they can agree personal terms with him.

Albion were the first club to make contact with the midfielder after he was released by United at the end of last season, following four injury-plagued years at Old Trafford during which he made only 39 appearances. The 30-year-old has remained in contact with the Midlands club ever since and recently met Roy Hodgson, the Albion manager, and Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, to discuss their proposal.

He has also undergone a preliminary medical examination at the club that has led Hodgson to believe the 30-year-old will come through more stringent tests if and when the need arises. "Dan has had further talks with him and the talks have been relatively positive," said Hodgson, who expects Albion to face competition from other Premier League clubs for a player who cost United £17m four years ago. "We believe he's capable of playing top-flight football again and we're very interested in him."

Asked whether Hargreaves has had a medical, Hodgson replied: "A minor one, yes. If he was to join us of course he'd have a proper medical with all the scans. We haven't done that. He came to visit with Alex McKechnie, the man who's been largely credited with supervising his revival and our expert here, Mark Gillett [the club doctor], looked at him and agreed.

"If the day ever came when he was even close to signing a contract, he'd have to go through a more rigorous medical, but I quite firmly believe that he would just as easily pass that. Alex and Owen were keen to show the doctor that the knee was fine."

Peter Odemwingie, meanwhile, has given Albion a boost by signing an improved three-year contract that will end speculation about his future. Odemwingie, 30, scored 15 Premier League goals in his first season in England after joining from Lokomotiv Moscow 12 months ago. He has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Wigan Athletic, who had a bid rejected last week.

UNITED SET FOR SINGAPORE FLOTATION

19th August 2011

By Jeremy Cross

A solution could have been found to resolving Manchester United's debts, with part of the club being sold off in Singapore in a deal which would also see them further develop their business in Asia, Press Association Sport understands.

The Barclays Premier League champions currently have debts of more than £500million but they could hope to clear a large proportion of that by floating on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The club has lodged a submission to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) - a flotation - with the intention of being listed on the stock exchange by the end of 2011.

The submission process will take between four and 12 weeks, followed by a further fortnight of administrative proceedings which will see United floating in the fourth quarter of the year.

The north-west club already have 192 million supporters in Asia, out of a worldwide total of 333 million, and the flotation means they can develop commercial links and increase their fanbase. In contrast to much of the western world which is in a deep recession, Asia's economy is continuing to grow, rebounding quickly after a short slump.

It is not yet certain what proportion will be floated or how much the Glazer family, United's owners, are hoping to raise although some reports are estimating between £400m and £600m. 

Manchester United were not commenting.

On the pitch, United will have to wait until after the weekend for their second game of the Premier League season.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side travel on Monday night to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham, who have not yet played after the postponement of their scheduled opener following the riots in Haringey.

United won 2-1 at West Brom last Sunday although it took a Steven Reid own goal off Ashley Young's low drive across the box 10 minutes from time to see them claim all three points.

The Red Devils had been in control with Young and Wayne Rooney combining for their opening goal, but a miserable league debut for David de Gea in goal changed the tempo of the match.

UNITED 'TO SELL STAKE IN SINGAPORE'

19th August 2011

By Jeremy Cross

Manchester United are to sell off a stake in the club in Singapore in order to pay off a portion of their debts and further develop their business in Asia, Press Association Sport understands.

The Barclays Premier League champions currently have debts of more than £500million but they could hope to clear a large proportion of that by floating on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

The club has lodged a submission to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) - a flotation - with the intention of being listed on the stock exchange by the end of 2011.

The submission process will take between four and 12 weeks, followed by a further fortnight of administrative proceedings which will see United floating in the fourth quarter of the year.

The north-west club already have 192 million supporters in Asia, out of a worldwide total of 333 million, and the flotation means they can develop commercial links and increase their fanbase.

In contrast to much of the western world which is in a deep recession, Asia's economy is continuing to grow, rebounding quickly after a short slump.

It is not yet certain what proportion will be floated or how much the Glazer family, United's owners, are hoping to raise although some reports are estimating between £400m and £600m.

Manchester United were not commenting.

RIO FERDINAND TELLS HOW LOSING FEELS HIM WITH FEAR

19th August 2011

By Jeremy Cross

RIO FERDINAND has revealed how losing Manchester United games leaves him scared to leave his own house.

The England star reckons he has been part of a ‘golden’ generation under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford after winning a huge haul of trophies.

But he insists bad times are just as memorable for all the wrong reasons and leave him so embarrassed he can’t bare to go out in public.

Ferdinand has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown but has also been on the losing side in two European Cup finals against Barcelona.

He said: “Maybe people will look back and say this was a golden period. It is certainly one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. 

“It is great to be part of it because memories of not winning things are awful.

“We won the league the first season I was here, then went three years on the bounce without winning it. 

“This place is like a morgue after losing a game. It is depressing. You don’t want to walk to the shops. You’re embarrassed walking anywhere. 

“If you want to be successful, you have to remember those feelings and hope that they don’t come back.”

Ferdinand has a torn hamstring and could be out for six weeks, while Nemanja Vidic is facing a spell on the sidelines with a calf problem.

Fergie is facing a defensive headache ahead of Monday’s visit of Tottenham but Phil Jones insists he can step up to the plate alongside England Under-21 colleague Chris Smalling.

Jones said: “We’ve done really well together with England and kept quite a few clean sheets.

“We communicate well and read each other’s game, which is a good thing to have in a partnership at the back.

“Rio and Nemanja are brilliant defenders. I’ve always watched those two play together and tried to model my game on them and copy things they do.”

SAMIR NASRI WANTED TO JOIN UNITED

19th August 2011

By Jeremy Cross

SAMIR NASRI was last night closing in on a £22m move to Manchester City amid claims he wanted to join bitter rivals Manchester United instead!

The Arsenal ace (left) was understood to be undergoing a medical in Manchester having agreed a five-year-deal at City worth £160,000 a week.

But reports in France have suggested Nasri was holding out for a move elsewhere, with United,
Barcelona and Real Madrid his preferred choices.

Sources in his homeland claim the striker told friends he wanted to join one of Europe’s giants, but chose City
when both Spanish clubs showed no interest and the Gunners refused to sell him to United.

The claims will cast doubts over Nasri’s motives for joining the billionaire big spenders as he gets set to become one of the highest-paid stars in the top fllight.

But this won’t bother boss Roberto Mancini, who has been hounding his bosses for weeks to push through a deal to
land the French star.

Nasri will more than double the wages he was earning at the Gunners and take Mancini’s summer spending
crashing through the £70m barrier.

His arrival will follow that of record £38m signing Sergio Aguero and confirm City’s status as genuine title contenders
this season.

Nasri’s departure from the Emirates will be the second major blow for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger this week
following the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barca.

But he has been powerless to stop Nasri leaving after the player made it clear he would not sign a new deal.

Nasri will become the second Gunner to join City this summer following Gael Clichy’s decision to join Mancini’s
men in a £7m deal.


Provided the loose ends are tied up within the next 24 hours then Nasri could make his debut in Sunday’s clash at Bolton, where Aguero has been told to expect a hostile reception.

The new superstar will be hoping for a happier outcome than on his last visit to the Reebok with Atletico Madrid in 2008, when he was sent off just 12 minutes after going on as a substitute.

The Argentine striker was shown a straight red card for spitting at Matt Taylor in the UEFA Cup last 16 tie and was
banned for two games.

Trotters fans have vowed to abuse Aguero but he said: “I remember the incident. I was spitting in the direction
of the player but not to the player. However, the officials thought that and suspended me.

“I don’t know what the reception will be like, but as long as our fans welcome me, I’ll be happy.”

Aguero looks set to make his full debut following his stunning cameo against Swansea
on Monday night which included two goals and an assist.

But it remains to be seen if wantaway Carlos Tevez will be included in
Mancini’s squad.

MANCHESTER UNITED DEAL UP TO WESLEY SNEIJDER

18th August 2011

By Jeremy Cross

WESLEY SNEIJDER will have to hand in a transfer request at Inter Milan if he wants to secure a dream move to Manchester United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson remains desperate to land Sneijder in a £36m deal before the transfer window closes.

Talks between United and Sneijder’s representatives have taken place and Starsport understands the midfielder has agreed a deal of around £190,000 a week at Old Trafford.

But Inter are digging their heels in in a bid to keep the Holland star at the San Siro. President Massimo Moratti insists Sneijder is going nowhere and has described the 27-year-old as ‘untouchable’.

Moratti has made it clear he will not be sold, but Sneijder knows he can still force the issue by demanding a transfer from the Serie A giants.

A source said: “If Wesley Sneijder wants to join Manchester United he can make it happen.

“But he will have to take the initiative because Inter seem adamant he is going nowhere.

“They may be left with no choice but to sell him for a big price, though, if he makes it clear he wants out.”

The situation has left Fergie in limbo, but he remains confi dent he can still land his man before this month’s deadline.

Moratti, however, is standing firm and he said: “There has never been any kind of talks about Wes.

“It doesn’t matter whether (Samuel) Eto’o stays put or leaves. Sneijder was untouchable before the situation with Eto’o and he has become even more so now Eto’o could leave. 

Sneijder is going nowhere.”

Sneijder revealed last week that he was keen on joining the champions and said: “Manchester United haven’t made an official approach yet.

“But there have been unoffi cial talks, there have been contacts.

But then there are always contacts.

“The situation is that I am now an Inter player, and chances are that I will still be that come August 31. There is also a chance I could leave.

“I think Inter have been very clear. If a good offer comes in, they have to let me go. They don’t want to lose me but there is a chance they will let me go.”

Moratti, meanwhile, has confirmed his interest in signing Carlos Tevez but admits a deal is unlikely due to the costs involved.

Manchester City are holding out for £50m while Tevez earns £250,000-a-week at the Etihad Stadium and Moratti added: “The names that have been mentioned are correct.

“We have been following Tevez, (Ezequiel) Lavezzi and (Diego) Forlan. 

It will be diffi cult to sort an agreement for the City striker, but the others we are considering. We'll see"

DIMITAR BERBATOV SET FOR MANCHESTER UNITED EXIT

DIMITAR Berbatov has been offered an escape route from his Old Trafford nightmare by Paris St Germain.

French club Paris St Germainhave offered Manchester United£18million for flop Dimitar Berbatov.

United chief executive David Gill said last week that the striker must wait until next summer to discover if he is being offered an extension to his contract that has one year to run.

Berbatov, 30, was snubbed despite Javier Hernandez and Antonio Valencia being given new deals. It means he is the only United player with less than a season to go on his current deal – a clear sign that he is playing for his future.

Gill said: “There is an option to extend Dimitar’s contract by another year on the club’s side but there’s no point yet. We have until the end of the season, so we can assess how it goes, talk to him and see how he performs.’’

Berbatov spent most of the second half of last season stuck on the sidelines following the emergence of Javier Hernandez.

The former Tottenham star's humiliation was complete when Fergie axed him from his squad for May's Champions League final against Barcelona. 

The snub increased speculation Berbatov would leave Old Trafford this summer in search of regular first team football. 

Gill said United wanted to keep Berbatov but the inference is that he is on trial. 

INTER MILAN 'ACCEPT' MANCHESTER UNITED OFFER FOR WESLEY SNEIJDER

INTER MILAN have accepted a £30m offer by Manchester United for Wesley Sneijder, according to reports.

Reports in Italy suggest that Inter Milan have accepted a £30m bid from Manchester United and thatWesley Sneijder is now free to agree terms with the club

The 27-year-old has been widely linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.

Asked if he would be interested in a move to England, Sneijder said "Maybe. I have played in many big competitions in Holland, Spain and Italy and I'm still here. What is going to happen we will see but I am a happy guy."

Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini, meanwhile, insists he is not losing any sleep over media speculation regarding Sneijder's future with the Serie A club.

"The transfer market closes on 31 August and we have all been trained to live with these rumours for the duration of the season," he said.

Man Utd demand huge money for Everton, Fulham target Diouf

18.08.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United are demanding £6 million for striker Mame Biram Diouf.

The Daily Mail says Diouf spent last season on loan at Blackburn Roversbut after a stunning hat-trick on his Carling Cup debut he managed just three goals for the rest of the campaign.

The 23-year-old went on United's pre-season tour of America, butSir Alex Ferguson is prepared to cash in on the striker they paid Molde £3.75m for in 2009.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is interested in making a move for Diouf, but will not be able to match United's asking price.

Blackburn, Everton and Fulham are said to be monitoring the situation.

Liverpool No1 Reina hints at Man Utd offer: De Gea can call me

18.08.11  

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he's on the end of the phone ifManchester United's David De Gea needs advice.

De Gea has struggled in the first weeks of his United career.

Asked if he would cross the divide to help his rival, Reina said: "I don't know him personally – we have played against each other a few times but I don't have a problem with whatever he needs. I imagine that he can get my telephone number from any friend that we have in common."

Asked if he was contacted by United as they searched for Edwin Van der Sar's replacement, his somewhat evasive answer suggested there was a moment at the end of last year when a move to Old Trafford became a possibility.

He said: "That doesn't matter now. I imagine they had a group of keepers that they were looking at and in the end the one they ended up pushing for was De Gea and I think that they have not got it wrong, far from it, he is going to give great service."

Sneijder must demand Inter transfer after AGREEING Man Utd terms

18.08.11 | tribalfootball.com

Wesley Sneijder must make a transfer demand atInter Milan to get his move to Manchester United.

The Daily Star says United bossSir Alex Ferguson remains desperate to land Sneijder in a £36m deal before the transfer window closes.

Talks between United and Sneijder’s representatives have taken place and it's understood the midfielder has agreed a deal of around £190,000 a week at Old Trafford.

But Inter are digging their heels in in a bid to keep the Holland star at the San Siro. President Massimo Moratti insists Sneijder is going nowhere and has described the 27-year-old as ‘untouchable’.

Moratti has made it clear he will not be sold, but Sneijder knows he can still force the issue by demanding a transfer from the Serie A giants.

A source said: “If Wesley Sneijder wants to join Manchester United he can make it happen.

“But he will have to take the initiative because Inter seem adamant he is going nowhere.

“They may be left with no choice but to sell him for a big price, though, if he makes it clear he wants out.”

Man Utd striker Chicharito: Speaking English helped me settle quickly

18.08.11 | tribalfootball.com 

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez admits learning English has been crucial in him settling quickly.

Chicharito also had his family join him in England after signing for United.

"Moving to a new country is always difficult, but the fact my dad and my sister came to live with me was a huge help," said Hernandez. "That made things easier.

"What I miss most about Mexico isn’t the food or the customs, it’s my family and the way we’d all sit around chatting together.

"I spoke pretty well when I first arrived here and since then I’ve been improving bit by bit, understanding more and more and speaking better.

"But the truth is that knowing English was a massive help, because it meant I could communicate in the dressing room and get to know my colleagues more quickly.

"I’ve been treated wonderfully in Manchester and I simply need to repay that faith. I had a very good first season and I hope to be able to contribute much more.

"I think there are good times ahead with this team and I’m very excited about the opportunities ahead in the coming season."

Arsenal forced to turn to Jenkinson for Liverpool clash

18.08.11 |

Arsenal fullback Carl Jenkinson is in line to start against Liverpool.

The Guardian says Arsenal's resources have been left so stretched for Saturday's visit ofLiverpool that Arsène Wenger is expected to hand the teenage defender Jenkinson, who has made only seven career starts, all in League One, a Premier League debut for the game at the Emirates.

Wenger lost both Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou to hamstring injuries during the 1-0 Champions League qualifying victory over Udinese on Tuesday night, following Armand Traoré limping out of a reserve-team victory over Manchester United after nine minutes on Monday.

None of the trio is likely to be available against Liverpool, leaving Jenkinson, a £1m signing from Charlton Athletic this summer, on the verge of a first top‑flight start.

Shakhtar star Willian eager to hear from Arsenal, Chelsea

18.08.11 

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian admits he wants a move to the Premier League.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all shown interest in the £13million-rated former Corinthians man and have less than two weeks in which to replace interest with hard cash.

"I would love to play in England," he told the Daily Mail.

"The league is one of the best and there are some great clubs here:Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City. Clubs with big players who play attractive football. I like Chelsea and Arsenal’s styles a lot. I’d be very happy to play for Tottenham too and help get them back into the Champions League. They’re a very big club."