Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any more incomings at Manchester United admitting that he missed out on some targets reports the Guardian.
Three players have already been added to the United squad although a replacement for Paul Scholes has so far eluded Ferguson.
Ashley Young, David de Gea and Phil Jones all joined the Red Devils for big money this summer with the United boss fulfilling his goal of adding a youthful core to his side.
However Ferguson still wants a replacement for Scholes, who retired at the end of last season, but admits he’s missed he can’t see that happening.
He told the Guardian: “We lost five players in their 30s this summer. That helped finance the three younger players – Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea – I have brought to the club.
“At this moment, I can’t see another addition. The type of player we might have been looking for is not available. I am happy with the players I have got at this moment in time.”
A new playmaker is still a priority for Ferguson as he strives to replace Scholes. However finances are tight at Old Trafford and moves for Ferguson’s top targets have been considered too expensive.
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Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder has been on the Scot’s wish list for some time but his £35 million asking price and looks likely to stay at the San Siro for at least another season.
Inter president Massimo Moratti has confirmed that the Serie A giants are interested in bringing Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez to Italy.
The Argentina international looks set to leave the Etihad Stadium this January after one too many indiscretions and acts of indiscipline.
AC Milan have been heavily linked with the South American forward, and have already had a loan offer for Tevez refused by Roberto Mancini’s men, who would prefer to sell the attacker.
Moratti however has admitted that Inter want to beat their rivals to Tevez’s signature.
“Our interest in Tevez is real, it’s not a joke,” Moratti told fcinternews.it.
“We think it might be a good operation. We tried to get information (from City) to understand how things were, if there was room or not (for us), then we’ll see if we can take him or not.
“It’s not a matter of being optimistic or pessimistic, but just wait and see what happens.
“There are still 20 days at the end of the transfer market, there is so much time,” he concluded.
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After recently hearing an American football pundit talking about how football would be changed if re-invented in modern times, it got me wondering what new additions to the sport would actually be worth considering. There are the serious suggestions that are under a common consensus with footy fans or more wild ideas that’d be worth pondering over a pint with your mates.
With the history of association football dating back for well over a 100 years, there has been many advancements and changes to the game. The disciplinary procedure of red and yellow cards, the offside rule, substitutions or even the duration of matches, but now in 2011, what should we be considering for the future of the game, for better, not worse.
Taking all these points into account, I’ve created a top ten list, some entries are serious and worth some thought whilst others may be more outside the box suggestions.
Click on the officials below to see the top 10 additions that could improve football
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Stuttgart have confirmed the signing of Francisco Rodriguez for an undisclosed fee from PSV, with the centre-back penning a three-year deal.The Mexico international, also known as Maza, has been added to cover an area where Stuttgart have been looking to strengthen.
“In Maza, we have signed an experienced central defender,” sporting director Fredi Bobic told the club’s official website.
“Following the loss of Matthieu Delpierre through injury, we wanted to have a further option in that position. Maza is familiar with European football and won’t need a long period of integration before he can help our team.”
The 29-year-old, who signed for Dutch club PSV in 2008 and spent three successful seasons there, spoke of the next step in his career.
“Stuttgart are a huge club which is highly renowned in Germany and across Europe. I have spoken with Fredi Bobic as well as [head coach] Bruno Labbadia. Their ideas and the concept behind them have impressed me,” Rodriguez said.
“For me personally, the move from Eindhoven to VfB is a new sporting challenge. I want to get to know the players and the style of football in the Bundesliga as quickly as possible in order to be able to help the team achieve their goals.”
Blackburn boss Steve Kean goes into the game against Liverpool still hanging onto his job by thread after being given a stay of execution by the clubs owners.
Beating the Reds will be a gruelling task with Kenny Dalglish’s side keen to return to winning ways after dropping two points away at Wigan on Wednesday. With the Luis Suarez racism scandal currently overshadowing everything on Merseyside their draw at the DW Stadium clearly displayed the effect it’s had on the players. A drab display from Liverpool was summed up by Charlie Adam’s missed penalty as their drive for the top four came to a stuttering halt. Dalglish knows his side need to keep recording victories if they are to finish in the Champions League places. Beating Blackburn, who he led to a Premier League title 16 years ago, will be high on the Scots agenda as continues his rebuilding job at Anfield. With Suarez seemingly distracted by his impending eight game ban Dalglish may opt to give £35 million man Andy Carroll the chance to stake a claim for a first team place against Blackburn. The Geordie striker has endured a frustrating first year since his big money move from Newcastle but could be the man to lead Liverpool to victory at Anfield.
Winning is something that has become alien to Rovers as they continue to teeter on the edge of the abyss. They slipped back to the foot of the table after losing the relegation six-pointed against Bolton on Tuesday leaving manager Kean on the brink. The coach-turned-manager has been given a stay of execution and will be given the opportunity to turn things around at Anfield on Boxing Day. His cause hasn’t been helped by an injury list boasting more players than he has wins during his year in charge with eight players sidelined including goalkeeper Paul Robinson. The former Tottenham man has picked up calf muscle and is rated as doubtful for the trip to Anfield. It’s the last thing Kean needs after seeing his back four decimated by injuries with Gael Givet, Scott Dann and Ryan Nelsen all out until the New Year at the latest. With supporters once again expected to protest against their manager’s presence in the dugout it could be a bleak Christmas for Blackburn.
Liverpool 6th : 30 points
Team news: Liverpool have no new injury worries with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva the only two players sidelined. Kenny Dalglish may opt to rest Luis Suarez for this one.
Key Player: Charlie Adam
Aside from his missed penalty against Wigan the Scotland midfielder is proving to be one of the bargains of the summer. His passing and driving runs from midfield will be key to ensuring victory over a weak Blackburn side.
Blackburn Rovers 20th : 10 points
Team news: Keeper Paul Robinson is likely to miss the trip to Anfield with a calf strain adding to the ever-increasing injury list Steve Kean has to deal with.
Key Player: Yakubu
Despite Blackburn’s problems the Nigerian striker has been a shining light since his move to Ewood Park scoring 10 goals this season. Supporters will be expecting him to convert the chances made for him on Boxing Day and kick start Rovers’ survival bid.
PREDICTION
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Liverpool will be desperate to get back on the winning trail following their draw at Wigan and will be confident of beating Blackburn. Rovers are in freefall once again and will likely succumb to another defeat that could push Steve Kean closer to the exit door.
Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are preparing for four fixtures against each other in the space of 18 days.Should Barcelona claim the first Clasico on Sunday at the Bernabeu – a league match – then the Catalans will most likely seal their third consecutive title.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who defeated Jose Mourinho’s men 5-0 earlier in the season, currently hold an eight point advantage over Real at the top of La Liga.
Their second meeting will be in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday, and then in the semi-finals of the Champions League over two legs.
Former Real Madrid coach and current Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque dismissed the title race was over, insisting last week’s results proved Barcelona could still be pipped to the crown.
“It’s true that in La Liga there’s an eight point difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid and that everything seems to be over,” he said.
“But I always say “it seems” because last Sunday, for instance, Almeria were about to defeat Barcelona.”
“It seemed like an easy game for Barcelona and they found it difficult to win, whereas Real Madrid’s game at Bilbao seemed difficult and they won easily.”
Del Bosque does not believe the heavy schedule will compromise the performance of both sides.
“Both teams have sufficient resources to win the three competitions. Barcelona have been a bit more solid, that’s why they’re eight points clear, but they’re both very efficient even though they have different styles and different players.”
The former Real Madrid coach reckons the previous El Clasico, in which Barcelona romped to a resounding win, would not have had a telling effect on either side.
“I don’t think that the 5-0 will have any influence on the game. That result happened some months ago and there’s no aftermath anymore… Barcelona won’t feel more confident for that 5-0, and Real Madrid won’t be afraid either, after the 5-0 loss”.
He also weighed in on the Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duel, noting that the differences between the two players made it hard to compare them.
“Cristiano and Messi are the stars of each team, and in addition to it they mark the style of the team. I don’t want to make it overly simple, but those long transitions that Madrid play fit Cristiano’s game. On the other hand, Messi’s combinative style is also Barcelona’s trademark.”
Let’s commence with a player enjoying a remarkable start to life in England. He may not even be able to speak English but this hasn’t hindered Papiss Demba Cissé’s goal scoring ability. The Senegalese now has seven goals in seven games in the Premier League. The striker netted a double against a lacklustre Liverpool side. It meant Newcastle went 11 points clear of their opponents on Sunday. If Cissé’s recent goal scoring exploits continue in the next eight games, the Magpies can certainly challenge Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea for a Champions League place.
Goal of the Weekend
It’s been another odd week for Manchester City what with Sergio Aguero’s bizarre injury and Mario Balotelli turning up at an Inter Milan press conference on Wednesday. Saturday brought disappointment with a dogged Sunderland claiming a draw at the Etihad. It did see the man who cannot keep himself out of the headlines net a blinding second for City. Mario Balotelli may have argued over a free-kick in the second half but his curving effort which helped to pull City back into the game was sublime. Having scored a spot-kick in the first half, he unleashed what Sergio Aguero might describe as a blistering effort past Simon Mignolet from just outside the penalty area.
Miss of the Weekend
Firstly Wigan deserve credit for turning in another fantastic display as Roberto Martinez’s side continue in their fight for survival. However, even though it’s been a while since the “Miss of the Weekend” section has been used, Jean Beausejour’s performance gave enough reason for it to be revived once more. The winger signed from Birmingham City should have celebrated two goals on Saturday but instead, he conspired to miss two gilt-edged chances for the Latics.
In the first half, the Chilean managed to let the ball roll up his shin from just over four yards out with the goal gaping whilst in the second period, he arrowed an effort straight at Asmir Begovic from a similar distance under no pressure from a Stoke player. Yet when it came to crossing, Beausejour was on much better form as he provided the assist for Wigan’s first goal. Maybe it’s best then that Beausejour is kept out of the opposition’s penalty area.
Dive of the Weekend
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It just hasn’t worked out for Andy Carroll at Liverpool. Perhaps then at St. James’s Park (or the Sports Direct Arena – for all the pedants out there), we saw a late audition by Carroll for the Team GB Diving team with the Olympics just months away. As much as Kenny Dalglish may protest otherwise, the former £35 million forward dived having taken the ball past Tim Krul early on in Sunday’s encounter.
He could have actually scored had he stayed on his feet but matching the efforts of Tom Daley seemed higher on his list of priorities. Newcastle’s James Perch was eager to challenge Carroll late on, judging by his reaction to Pepe Reina’s headbutt. He dramatically flung himself to the floor after the Liverpool goalkeeper brushed his nose albeit not in the most affectionate manner. For someone of Reina’s experience though, it was silly to lean his head in as he did but had Perch displayed a little more sportsmanship, the Spaniard would have remained on the field.
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Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt insists that the club have still not accepted Bayern Munich’s bid for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.The 25-year-old shot-stopper caught the eye as Schalke reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, eventually losing out to English Premier League heavyweights Manchester United.
The Gelsenkirchen outfit also won the German Cup, but only managed a 14th-placed finish in the Bundesliga.
The form of Germany number one Neuer prompted interest from Schalke’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern, who are rumoured to lead the chase for his services.
But it appears Neuer’s move to Bavaria is still some way off being completed.
“There is nothing new. We had a meeting scheduled today in which we presented the offer Bayern Munich made for Neuer. We have talked about that but we haven’t made any decisions yet,” Heldt said on Tuesday.
“First of all, Manuel said in his press conference – in which I sat beside him – that he has a contract with us until 2012. It is my belief that one should honour such words. He never said that he wanted to leave the club right now, even while admitting that he has thought about it, and despite the fact that Bayern wants him.”
Manchester City laid down their title credentials smashing five goals past Tottenham at White Hart Lane with Edin Dzeko scoring four to maintain their 100% start to the new campaign.
The Citizens stormed back to the top of the Premier League after another rampant performance and have now scored 17 goals in their first three games.
£27 million striker Dzeko was the stand out performer as he put the Spurs defence to the sword scoring four and proving to be a nuisance throughout. Samir Nasri, making his City debut, was also bang in form whilst David Silva and Sergio Aguero kept up their fine starts to the new campaign.
Despite the scoreline the first 25 minutes was rather close with the home side having several good opportunities to break he deadlock. Rafael Van der Vaart had a free kick saved by Joe Hart before Gareth Bale should have at least hit the target only to blaze a volley over from 10 yards.
Those scares kicked the visitors into gear and Dzeko opened the scoring in the 34th minute tapping in Nasri’s cross from the left before the same two players combined again six minutes later with the Bosnian looping a header across goal and into the bottom corner leaving Brad Friedel motionless.
The second half saw City continue in the same vein scoring two goals in quick succession. Dzeko completed his hat trick in the 54th minute tapping in from Yaya Toure’s ball before Aguero smashed home from inside the box after a mazy run through the Spurs defence.
Younes Kaboul pulled a goal back with 23 minutes to go but Dzeko wasn’t going to let the hosts have the last laugh curling in a sublime effort from the edge of the area two minutes into added on time.
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The decision to select a GB football team for the 2012 Olympics has brought a mixed response within the game. Some players have welcomed the decision and suggested they would be keen to play, while managers and the football federations have questioned the fact it will impinge on their members preparations for their league programme. The very fact the Euro Championships will also be taking place some weeks earlier only goes to underline the worries that some football managers are likely to have and why they will be hesitant to release some of their players for the Olympics.
The ruling for the Olympic teams is the players must be 23 years of age or under; although three players over that age can also be included within the squad.
With that in mind I have included my Olympic XI for Team GB
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Click on the image below to see the GB XI
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