Man Utd defender Massacci set for Roma return

Sun, 06/17/2012

Manchester United defender Alberto Massacci is set to return to AS Roma.

The right-back had been poached from Empoli in 2009 as a 16-year-old, when he was still too young to be placed under a professional contract in Italy.

Now 18, he has struggled with injury during his time at United and it’s reported he will be released this summer.

Agent confirms contract talks for Man Utd fullback Rafael

Sun, 06/17/2012

The agent of Manchester United fullback Rafael da Silva says new contract talks are on.

The 21-year-old is an important part of the Red Devils' future plans and reports suggest he is ready to finalise an extension to stay at Old Trafford until 2016.

His agent Cassiano Pereira told Estadao ESPN: "Rafael is very happy to stay at Manchester United, who are one of the giants of world football and always play in Europe's biggest competitions.

"Manchester United are the club that opened the door to Europe for him. He is loved, respected and has prestige at the club.

"We are all very happy that he is renewing his contract."

Agent admits QPR option for Man Utd fullback Fabio

Sun, 06/17/2012

The agent of Manchester United fullback Fabio da Silva has confirmed the interest of QPR.

Fabio is leaving United next season on-loan.

His agent Cassiano Pereira told Estadao ESPN: "Fabio is a promising player and he needs to play. Because of that, Alex Ferguson suggested that he be loaned out to get more experience.

"He is a sought-after player because he is still young, and we think that his transfer to QPR was the best decision at the time.

"We received some offers from Germany and Portugal, but he preferred to stay in England to remain in touch with the country's football style and so that he would not have a problem to adapt to it when he returned to United."

Man Utd's Welbeck: England players know we must find room for Rooney

Sun, 06/17/2012

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck says England players accept Wayne Rooney must play against Ukraine.

Welbeck will happily welcome back his Manchester United team-mate, with Rooney's suspension now over, even though he will be one of the players under threat of losing his place.

He said: "Make no mistake, the whole team is happy that Wazza will be available to play again.

"We all want to play but it's only going to benefit us to have a player of his proven quality as part of the plans going forward in this tournament."

Murray counting on Man Utd experience to help Rangers

Sun, 06/17/2012

Malcolm Murray says he can use his Manchester United experience to assist Rangers.

Murray, a Rangers season-ticket holder, had stewardship of a 25% shareholding inManchester United before their title dominance in the early 1990s.

New Gers chairman Murray said: "Of particular relevance is the Manchester United stake. I was equal to Martin Edwards (in terms of his holding) at the time. I worked with him and David Gill for many years.

"It was an iconic, global brand and that's what Rangers is. With a different Sky deal we'd be just as big."

Dad expects Man Utd, Man City target Robben to stick with Bayern Munich

Sun, 06/17/2012

The father of Arjen Robben expects him to stay with Bayern Munich.

A growing rift with Bayern fans has sparked the interest of Manchester City, Manchester United and former club Chelsea.

But his father, Hans Robben, told Sport-Bild weekly: "Arjen is under contract with Bayern Munich. Arjen leaving Bayern is ruled out.

"He will play for Bayern Munich next season, no matter what."

Davide Petrucci resists Inter Milan to pen Man Utd deal

Sun, 06/17/2012

Davide Petrucci is close to penning a new deal with Manchester United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rates the young Italian midfielder very highly.

Calcio News 24 says Petrucci is snubbing interest from Inter Milan, Roma and Genoa to sign a new three-year contract at Old Trafford.

Hodgson says Man Utd's Rooney will start for England

Sun, 06/17/2012

England coach Roy Hodgson says Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will start against Ukraine.

Hodgson confirmed Rooney will return for the qualification decider with co-hosts Ukraine on Tuesday.

He said: "I welcome those kind of selection problems, I was really pleased with the performance of the front players. But Wayne Rooney is a special player and, frankly, it will be hard to leave him out. I'm afraid you expect him to get back into the team when the suspension is served."

Tottenham closing in on Man Utd contract rebel Zeki Fryers

Sun, 06/17/2012

Tottenham are pushing to land Manchester United defender Zeki Fryers.

The Mirror says the 19-year-old defender failed to agree an extension to his contract at Old Trafford which expires at the end of this month.

Fryers turned down United’s new offer of a new £1,500-a-week contract earlier this year which alerted Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Championship hopefuls Burnley to his availability.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was particularly keen, having identified the athletic left-back as someone who could fill that position in his progressive team.

But the Manchester-born full-back appears set on a move to north-London where he will provide competition to France-born Cameroon international defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Nani fears being squeezed out of Man Utd

Sun, 06/17/2012

Nani fears he's being squeezed out of Manchester United as new contract talks drag on.

The Mirror says Nani fears that he is being forced out of Manchester United after being stunned by the club’s reluctance to hand him a new contract.

The Portuguese winger still has two years left on his existing deal, but was hoping to get a pay rise that would bring him more in line with the club’s top earners.

But talks have become deadlocked – even though Nani has reduced his demands twice in a bid to broker an agreement.

Man Utd ace Rooney: Losing title was sickening

Mon, 05/21/2012

Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney felt for the fans after losing the title to Manchester City last week.

Rooney says the title surrender was "sickening".

“Of course, you wish it hadn’t happened like that for our fans," Rooney told ManUtd.com, when reflecting on the last-day drama. "And for us as players, it was sickening really to lose the title like that.

"Our fans were brilliant all day, even when Man City scored their first goal. We obviously knew on the pitch they had gone 1-0 up and we were also aware when QPR went 2-1 up.

"When the final whistle went, we didn’t really know what the score was. But then we heard theSunderland fans cheering. It was sad to see that because they should be supporting their own team really. They didn’t have the best of seasons themselves so for them to be cheering like that was sad. It was something that myself and a lot of the players won’t forget.”

Man Utd striker Berbatov: I'd never go to Man City

Mon, 05/21/2012

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov says he'd never consider joining Manchester City.

Berbatov has declared he intends to leave United this summer.

"I would never join Man City, I am a loyal person after all," he said. "I had the opportunity to sign for City in the past, but I chose United."

Berbatov: My time with Man Utd now up

Mon, 05/21/2012

Dimitar Berbatov admits he no longer feels part of Manchester United.

Berbatov remains a popular figure in Manchester but having made just 21 appearances last term concedes his future lies elsewhere.

"My time at Manchester United is running out," he told bTV on Sunday. "I no longer feel like a valuable part of this team.

"I think I did well in the few opportunities that I received. But I am a little frustrated by the way this happened, I do not think I deserved it."

Man Utd ace Rooney scoffs at Man City 'domination' claims

Mon, 05/21/2012

Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney has scoffed at the plaudits going to championsManchester City.

Rooney is quick to point out City only won the title on goal difference.

"We can hold our heads up high because we pushed Man City all the way and it went to goal difference," Rooney told ManUtd.com. "We’ll be back, no worries about that, we’ll be back stronger.

"Everyone’s been saying how well Man City have played and how they’ve dominated the Premier League but if that’s them dominating, they’ve done it on goal difference… We’ll be back, better than ever.”

Man City, Man Utd target Hazard: Chelsea makes me think ...

Mon, 05/21/2012

Lille star Eden Hazard says he's yet to decide his next move.

Hazard is a target for Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

He told Canal+: "My agent has met with Manchester, and with Chelsea; they give good offers and are great clubs. I don't know. It's not been finalised yet.

"As long as I've not put pen to paper, I won't say where I'm going.

"Chelsea makes you hesitate. They've won the Champions League and they'll be in it next season.

"For now, nothing's been decided, but it will be soon. Now I want to join up with the national team and then go on holiday. It'll do me a lot of good."