Luiz Felipe Scolari has allowed himself to be dragged into Real Madrid's odious and seemingly increasingly desperate attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, speaking to the press at Portugal's Euro 2008 training camp, 'Big Phil' said "I have said to him that in soccer it is not lived on the memories and that there are to take the opportunities when they arrive, because perhaps they do not return in life". Readers of this blog will not be surprised to learn that Marca - Real Madrid's unofficial mouthpiece reported the story.
The sooner Ronaldo ends this speculation by committing his immediate future to United the better, that may not happen until after Euro 2008 but after the Champions League final the player did say that he would make a statement in 15 days time. We live in hope that he is true to his word and then perhaps we the fans can fully focus on new player acquisitions.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
United to bid for Richard Dunne?
There has been a lot of rumours suggesting that the Red Devils will try to sign Manchester City defender Micah Richards, but that looks very unlikely given that he recently signed a new deal, added to which the Blues would want a lot of money for the young England defender.
However, Richard's team-mate Richard Dunne is available for a reported £5m fee after refusing to sign a new long-term contract.
The 28-year-old was the fans player of the year, but a move to United would be less than popular with the City fans. According to the latest news, Spurs are the favourites to land the player who was once dubbed the 'honey-monster'.
Apart from fearing a fan backlash, would Richards fancy playing second fiddle to Vidic and Ferdinand? My own view is that Richards wouldn't fancy his chances of dislodging either player, and that a regular first-team place would be his preferred option at this stage of his career.
The Irish international would be a great player to have on the bench especially with United just having sold Pique. Silvestre is also expected to leave the club this summer which could leave United short of top quality cover in the centre of the back four.
However, Richard's team-mate Richard Dunne is available for a reported £5m fee after refusing to sign a new long-term contract.
The 28-year-old was the fans player of the year, but a move to United would be less than popular with the City fans. According to the latest news, Spurs are the favourites to land the player who was once dubbed the 'honey-monster'.
Apart from fearing a fan backlash, would Richards fancy playing second fiddle to Vidic and Ferdinand? My own view is that Richards wouldn't fancy his chances of dislodging either player, and that a regular first-team place would be his preferred option at this stage of his career.
The Irish international would be a great player to have on the bench especially with United just having sold Pique. Silvestre is also expected to leave the club this summer which could leave United short of top quality cover in the centre of the back four.
Arsenal have the most to lose under FIFA's new quotas...
The news that FIFA's delegates have backed Sep Blatter's 'six-plus-five' proposals on player quotas will surprise few observers of the beautiful game - FIFA is after all his personal fiefdom.
If the FIFA president get his way by 2012-13, Premier League teams will only be able to field five foreign players.
If the 'six-plus-five' ruling is eventually imposed it could impact massively on Arsenal, with the Gunners often fielding teams without a single Englishman. Contrast this situation with the United team that started the Champions League final, the Red Devils had six Englishmen in their starting line-up - but of that number four were purchased for a total not far off £90m which backs-up Arsene Wenger's argument that English players are too expensive.
The good news is that the European Commission says that FIFA's proposals on imposing quotas is discriminatory and illegal. Vladimir Spidla, Europe's Commissioner for Equal Opportunities says "We're giving red card to the rule".
However, Blatter is determined to push through his latest big idea, but given that the proposal is against Community legislation it appears that for once the FIFA president will not be getting his own way.
If the FIFA president get his way by 2012-13, Premier League teams will only be able to field five foreign players.
If the 'six-plus-five' ruling is eventually imposed it could impact massively on Arsenal, with the Gunners often fielding teams without a single Englishman. Contrast this situation with the United team that started the Champions League final, the Red Devils had six Englishmen in their starting line-up - but of that number four were purchased for a total not far off £90m which backs-up Arsene Wenger's argument that English players are too expensive.
The good news is that the European Commission says that FIFA's proposals on imposing quotas is discriminatory and illegal. Vladimir Spidla, Europe's Commissioner for Equal Opportunities says "We're giving red card to the rule".
However, Blatter is determined to push through his latest big idea, but given that the proposal is against Community legislation it appears that for once the FIFA president will not be getting his own way.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
United legend set to join Chelsea?
Reports in the press are claiming that Mark 'Sparky' Hughes is in the frame to replace Avram Grant at Chelsea. If we are to believe the stories on the vacant manager's position there's only four big names who are being seriously considered; Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Didier Deschamps. Out of the list of potential candidates only Hughes and Scolari are currently employed following the news that Inter Milan sacked Mancini earlier this week.
One theory that is being bandied around by the media is that Peter Kenyon is backing Hughes to become the next Chelsea manager, you can imagine why that might be the case.
The West London club have had three managers' so far in the Abramovich era; Claudio Ranieri the infamous "tinkerman", the media darling and cocky Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant who was the exact opposite of his predecessor - the Israeli coach was on a loser from day one, he would have been sacked even if Chelsea had won the Champions League.
So you can sort of understand why Kenyon might be backing Hughes who has many qualities, he gets on with it quietly, he's known to be quite hard when the need arises and he doesn't go blabbing to press every five minutes. However, Hughes lack of managerial experience in Europe could count against him.
The Welshman is of course a former Blues player and he's currently managing Blackburn Rovers, but there's a world of difference between his current situation and the one he'd be walking into at Stamford Bridge should he accept the job if offered.
For a start, as far as the first team is concerned Hughes has total control at Ewood Park, that wouldn't be the case at the Bridge with owner Roman Abramovich interjecting with his own views on the style of play and on player acquisitions plus selection issues.
There's an argument which suggests that Hughes would be mad to give up his current job where all things being equal he could stay for a very long time. Why give up the security of the Blackburn job for the none-stop media scrutiny and pressure that comes with the Chelsea position? The answer to that is simple, the big jobs don't come around that often and Hughes may feel that now is the right time to move up to the next level.
Hughes might well have is eye on replacing Ferguson at United, but there's no guarantees that he'd be offered the job. My own gut feeling is that Hughes would jump at the chance to become the next Chelsea manager, but I also believe that he might live to regret it should he be appointed. Sam Allardyce took the Newcastle United job to better himself, he was out on his ear not long after and hasn't worked since.
One theory that is being bandied around by the media is that Peter Kenyon is backing Hughes to become the next Chelsea manager, you can imagine why that might be the case.
The West London club have had three managers' so far in the Abramovich era; Claudio Ranieri the infamous "tinkerman", the media darling and cocky Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant who was the exact opposite of his predecessor - the Israeli coach was on a loser from day one, he would have been sacked even if Chelsea had won the Champions League.
So you can sort of understand why Kenyon might be backing Hughes who has many qualities, he gets on with it quietly, he's known to be quite hard when the need arises and he doesn't go blabbing to press every five minutes. However, Hughes lack of managerial experience in Europe could count against him.
The Welshman is of course a former Blues player and he's currently managing Blackburn Rovers, but there's a world of difference between his current situation and the one he'd be walking into at Stamford Bridge should he accept the job if offered.
For a start, as far as the first team is concerned Hughes has total control at Ewood Park, that wouldn't be the case at the Bridge with owner Roman Abramovich interjecting with his own views on the style of play and on player acquisitions plus selection issues.
There's an argument which suggests that Hughes would be mad to give up his current job where all things being equal he could stay for a very long time. Why give up the security of the Blackburn job for the none-stop media scrutiny and pressure that comes with the Chelsea position? The answer to that is simple, the big jobs don't come around that often and Hughes may feel that now is the right time to move up to the next level.
Hughes might well have is eye on replacing Ferguson at United, but there's no guarantees that he'd be offered the job. My own gut feeling is that Hughes would jump at the chance to become the next Chelsea manager, but I also believe that he might live to regret it should he be appointed. Sam Allardyce took the Newcastle United job to better himself, he was out on his ear not long after and hasn't worked since.
Ronaldo to follow Van Nistelrooy route to transfer list?
According to Marca, Cristiano Ronaldo can put himself on the transfer list in doing so he will make the first definitive step towards a move to Real Madrid. Marca claim that former United star Ruud Van Nistelrooy took the same route out of Old Trafford. However, United fans will know that there's a big difference between the Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy scenarios.
Fergie wanted the Dutch striker out of the club, largely because in his last season he appeared to lose his desire to play for United and he'd started to cause problems in the dressing room, ironically with Ronaldo of all people.
However, many United fans will be alarmed to learn that under Article 17 of Fifa's transfer rules, a player who has signed a contract when aged under 28 can break his contract after three years. A player who is 28 or over, he can break his contract after just two years. Compensation is payable, but crucially if Ronaldo took this route his destiny could lie in his own hands.
In 2007 Andy Webster, the Scotland defender broke his own contract with Heart's when he moved to Wigan Athletic, which set a landmark precedent for players to "buy" out their contract using a Fifa ruling which has been described as "the new Bosman".
But until Webster's case, no player had ever tested the rule. Webster, subsequently moved on from Wigan to Rangers on-loan, compensation of £625,000 was eventually agreed.
So in theory Ronaldo could actually take the same route leaving United and Madrid to agree compensation.
Fergie wanted the Dutch striker out of the club, largely because in his last season he appeared to lose his desire to play for United and he'd started to cause problems in the dressing room, ironically with Ronaldo of all people.
However, many United fans will be alarmed to learn that under Article 17 of Fifa's transfer rules, a player who has signed a contract when aged under 28 can break his contract after three years. A player who is 28 or over, he can break his contract after just two years. Compensation is payable, but crucially if Ronaldo took this route his destiny could lie in his own hands.
In 2007 Andy Webster, the Scotland defender broke his own contract with Heart's when he moved to Wigan Athletic, which set a landmark precedent for players to "buy" out their contract using a Fifa ruling which has been described as "the new Bosman".
But until Webster's case, no player had ever tested the rule. Webster, subsequently moved on from Wigan to Rangers on-loan, compensation of £625,000 was eventually agreed.
So in theory Ronaldo could actually take the same route leaving United and Madrid to agree compensation.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Calderón on the run after United's FIFA threat over Ronaldo...
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderón has made a half-hearted attempt to rebuild the damaged relations between his club and Manchester United over the Spanish Champion's continued pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United are furious with Madrid over this issue, so much so that the club have issued the threat of reporting Real to FIFA. The United manager has also made it clear that he believes Madrid have no moral's and just in case Calderón was in any doubt about the depth of his anger Fergie also weighed in when adding that Barcelona had more morality about them. Ouch.
Ramon Calderón responded "We have not done, nor we are going to never do nothing against the will of a club friend as it is the Manchester. Real Madrid does not have anything to do with this subject. The relation with the Manchester is magnificent."
The saga looks set to continue, The Daily Mirror is today claiming that Fergie could even be set to fly out to Swizterland to Portugal's Euro 2008 training camp in a bid to ensure that Ronaldo knows that he is wanted and that he will not be leaving United.
Manchester United are furious with Madrid over this issue, so much so that the club have issued the threat of reporting Real to FIFA. The United manager has also made it clear that he believes Madrid have no moral's and just in case Calderón was in any doubt about the depth of his anger Fergie also weighed in when adding that Barcelona had more morality about them. Ouch.
Ramon Calderón responded "We have not done, nor we are going to never do nothing against the will of a club friend as it is the Manchester. Real Madrid does not have anything to do with this subject. The relation with the Manchester is magnificent."
The saga looks set to continue, The Daily Mirror is today claiming that Fergie could even be set to fly out to Swizterland to Portugal's Euro 2008 training camp in a bid to ensure that Ronaldo knows that he is wanted and that he will not be leaving United.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Pique sold on the cheap and with Fergie's blessing?..
The fact that Gerard Pique has been sold back to Barcelona will be greeted with a certain amount of dismay by many United supporters, because since he first arrived at the club the young Spanish defender has only ever been a bit-part player, but this season when opportunities have come his way he has looked comfortable and so eyebrows will no doubt have been raised at today's news that Pique has been sold to his former club for £5m.
It's not as if the transfer fee amounts to a lot of money, added to which reports claim that United could be about to offload Sivestre this summer too, which if true leaves the Reds with just Wes Brown who is a recognised centre-half for cover for Ferdinand and Vidic.
Clearly Fergie believes that the club can cope without Pique and it remains to be seen if Jonny Evans who spent most of the season on-loan at Sunderland will be recalled. Evans was sent to Sunderland after failing to impress earlier in the season, specifically after the Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Coventry City. It cannot be ruled out that Fergie will also offload Evans and move to sign another central defender.
One thing is for sure, Fergie has made it clear that no player is sold unless he wants them out which is precisely what happened with Beckham and Van Nistelrooy. We are left to assume that for whatever reason Ferguson has given his blessing to Pique moving on, only time will tell if this is a good move or not, but the United manager doesn't often get it wrong where young players are concerned.
It's not as if the transfer fee amounts to a lot of money, added to which reports claim that United could be about to offload Sivestre this summer too, which if true leaves the Reds with just Wes Brown who is a recognised centre-half for cover for Ferdinand and Vidic.
Clearly Fergie believes that the club can cope without Pique and it remains to be seen if Jonny Evans who spent most of the season on-loan at Sunderland will be recalled. Evans was sent to Sunderland after failing to impress earlier in the season, specifically after the Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Coventry City. It cannot be ruled out that Fergie will also offload Evans and move to sign another central defender.
One thing is for sure, Fergie has made it clear that no player is sold unless he wants them out which is precisely what happened with Beckham and Van Nistelrooy. We are left to assume that for whatever reason Ferguson has given his blessing to Pique moving on, only time will tell if this is a good move or not, but the United manager doesn't often get it wrong where young players are concerned.
Marca and Real Madrid say the ball is now in Ronaldo's court...
Marca is today reporting that Ramon Calderón has said that Real Madrid's work is done as far as trying to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo is concerned. The Spanish club are basically saying that Ronaldo needs to instigate his own move and that they are in no hurry. The report suggests that Ronaldo needs to now force this issue. Last week Fergie went on the attack accusing Madrid of lacking morals where transfer talk is concerned, it was an entirely appropriate response by the United manager.
Some expert pundits believe that the player is being pushed by his agent to fight for a new and improved contract - from that perspective a lot will depend on how far Ronaldo wants to push the issue.
So far Ronaldo has only dropped hints about his long term desire to play in Spain. Given that we are now appear to be entering the crucial phase of this saga it remains to be seen what the Ronaldo camp will do next.
For their part, United have remained tight-lipped about the prospect of a new and improved deal. The club's official position is that the player is under contract for another four years, but they haven't given any indication if there is any scope to review Ronaldo's current contract. United will no doubt want to further extend Ronaldo's contract should they be willing to enter into negotiations, which could prove to be a major sticking point from the player's perspective.
Some expert pundits believe that the player is being pushed by his agent to fight for a new and improved contract - from that perspective a lot will depend on how far Ronaldo wants to push the issue.
So far Ronaldo has only dropped hints about his long term desire to play in Spain. Given that we are now appear to be entering the crucial phase of this saga it remains to be seen what the Ronaldo camp will do next.
For their part, United have remained tight-lipped about the prospect of a new and improved deal. The club's official position is that the player is under contract for another four years, but they haven't given any indication if there is any scope to review Ronaldo's current contract. United will no doubt want to further extend Ronaldo's contract should they be willing to enter into negotiations, which could prove to be a major sticking point from the player's perspective.
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