Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has given his broadest hint yet that Cristiano Ronaldo becoming a Manchester United player again, ahead of the star's eagerly anticipated return to Old Trafford with Real Madrid in February.
There has been a lot of talk this last three months about Ronaldo returning to United as he is said to be unhappy at Real and only last week Spanish newspaper AS were reporting that Real are planning to price Ronaldo out of any move and suggested that they will place a whopping £160million price tag on him to put off potential suitors.
Last month Ferguson described the player he sold to Real Madrid for a world-record £80million in 2009 as 'unbuyable' and the United manager is not about to read too much into speculation in Spain that Ronaldo feels unappreciated over the lack of progress in contract negotiations.
Whatever the circumstances and however possible it might be, Ferguson hopes that Ronaldo would consider a move back to United. "You never know," he said. "I don't know when his contract finishes. He may want to go to another club at some point in his career and I'd hope he would want to come here. But that's a long way off.
"I'd love to see that, but it's fanciful thinking really. First of all, how much it would take to get him from Real Madrid and, secondly, I don't think there's any chance they would want to sell him."
Ronaldo, too, has fond memories: "It is thanks to Manchester United that I play for Real Madrid," he said. "Without them, I wouldn't be the player I am today. I still speak with Sir Alex Ferguson. I miss him a lot and I miss Manchester United.
"I felt very good there, it was like a family. I had six great years there and am still friends with my team-mates."
Ronaldo will play United for the first time since 2003 as two of the world's most glamorous clubs face each other in the first knockout round of the Champions League.
And Ferguson is proud that he transformed the magician from Madeira into a player who bears comparison with the greatest players in history.
Ferguson said: "There are different forms of courage, but the courage to take the ball all the time is the best one. He's always had that.
"Great players have got that. Denis Law, George Best, Pele, Johan Cruyff, Eusebio: all the great players can do that. They take the ball, no matter the challenges.
"I've been very fortunate in having Scholes, Giggs and Cantona. He's certainly in that bracket.' Which begs the question, how are United going to stop him? It was after Ronaldo tormented United in a friendly nine years ago that Ferguson's players urged him to sign the Sporting Lisbon teenager.
"I'm putting Giggs against him - he knows more about him," said Ferguson. "Giggs would love to play against him. We'll have a way."
"It wasn't disloyalty [when he left United] because I got another year out of him when he wanted to go the previous year," added Ferguson. "He honoured that and was fantastic for us. He went with our blessing.
"I was sorry when he left, don't get me wrong, but he always had a hankering to go to Madrid in his career and we helped him on that way.
"My way of looking at it is we were lucky to have him for six years and the United fans would share that.
"One thing is for sure, he'll get a great reception when he comes to Old Trafford and quite rightly so when he comes on the pitch - after that, they can boo all they like!
"It will be a fantastic tie. We've not had a really good European game for quite a while, having not qualified last year. This is a big opportunity for United to kick on and step forward in European football again."
Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo were quoted in Sportsmail.
Saturday, 22 December 2012
QPR boss ready to sign 'difficult' striker
NICOLAS Anelka might be known as ‘Le Sulk’ – but QPR boss Harry Redknapp is prepared to ‘bite the bullet’ and sign the tempestuous French striker anyway.
Redknapp needs recruits – and he needs them fast.
According to the man who ended a winless run at the 17th attempt against Fulham last weekend, signing players on the last day of the January transfer window will be too late.
He needs them to hit the ground running and carve out six points every four games from now until the end of the season to save Rangers from relegation.
Into that frame comes Anelka (pic), who even at his latest club, Shanghai Shenhua in China, fell foul of respected rituals at the beginning of a match and reportedly squared up to a fan in a hotel lobby as a result.
Before that, the 33-year-old was sent home in disgrace from World Cup 2010, and not the first time he rowed with a France team manager.
But Harry admits Rangers might have to take what they can get in a January window smeared by lack of choice.
When asked whether Anelka came into the difficult personality category, the Rs manager made it plain he was bracing himself for a few more Gallic tirades if he can get him to W12.
“What do you think? He’s (Anelka) a good player,” said Redknapp. “But it’s very hard to get the full package (of personality and talent). We’ve got to hope they fit in.
“There are lots of players about who have got no personality. I can’t afford the likes of Lampard and Gerrard who train hard, play well and tend to avoid injury.
“The problem is we need to do any business by the start of January – it’s no good waiting until the last day.
“Daniel (Levy, Spurs chairman) will be ringing you up at 10pm on deadline day offering you a three for one deal from those he can’t give away.
“You can’t wait for that, and the QPR chairman knows we have to bite the bullet.”
Redknapp needs recruits – and he needs them fast.
According to the man who ended a winless run at the 17th attempt against Fulham last weekend, signing players on the last day of the January transfer window will be too late.
He needs them to hit the ground running and carve out six points every four games from now until the end of the season to save Rangers from relegation.
Into that frame comes Anelka (pic), who even at his latest club, Shanghai Shenhua in China, fell foul of respected rituals at the beginning of a match and reportedly squared up to a fan in a hotel lobby as a result.
Before that, the 33-year-old was sent home in disgrace from World Cup 2010, and not the first time he rowed with a France team manager.
But Harry admits Rangers might have to take what they can get in a January window smeared by lack of choice.
When asked whether Anelka came into the difficult personality category, the Rs manager made it plain he was bracing himself for a few more Gallic tirades if he can get him to W12.
“What do you think? He’s (Anelka) a good player,” said Redknapp. “But it’s very hard to get the full package (of personality and talent). We’ve got to hope they fit in.
“There are lots of players about who have got no personality. I can’t afford the likes of Lampard and Gerrard who train hard, play well and tend to avoid injury.
“The problem is we need to do any business by the start of January – it’s no good waiting until the last day.
“Daniel (Levy, Spurs chairman) will be ringing you up at 10pm on deadline day offering you a three for one deal from those he can’t give away.
“You can’t wait for that, and the QPR chairman knows we have to bite the bullet.”
East End ‘Tribute 2 A Legend’ soccer matches to charge fans 50p a goal
Football mad youngsters are being asked to get sponsors to cough up 50p
for every goal they score in a New Year tournament being set up in
London’s deprived East End.
It’s part of a charity drive to open a free ‘Working Class Heroes’ stage academy in Bow for disadvantaged youth of all abilities and backgrounds.
The five-a-side tournament which kicks off the fundraising appeal was the brainchild of the ‘Tribute 2 A Legend’ charity’s founder, Joe Leslie, who runs Mimi’s charity shop in the Roman Road.
“Getting sponsorship for every ball in the net is just one fundraising idea,” he said. “We’re also planning family football parties and pub nights.
“A ‘Working Class Heroes’ drama academy can help youngsters who have had a tough start in life get involved in the community.”
Those interested in taking part in the tournament starting in March are being asked to pop into The Albert pub in Roman Road where the players’ registration is open from January 4 to 26.
link
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/east_end_tribute_2_a_legend_soccer_matches_to_charge_fans_50p_a_goal_1_1751390
It’s part of a charity drive to open a free ‘Working Class Heroes’ stage academy in Bow for disadvantaged youth of all abilities and backgrounds.
The five-a-side tournament which kicks off the fundraising appeal was the brainchild of the ‘Tribute 2 A Legend’ charity’s founder, Joe Leslie, who runs Mimi’s charity shop in the Roman Road.
“Getting sponsorship for every ball in the net is just one fundraising idea,” he said. “We’re also planning family football parties and pub nights.
“A ‘Working Class Heroes’ drama academy can help youngsters who have had a tough start in life get involved in the community.”
Those interested in taking part in the tournament starting in March are being asked to pop into The Albert pub in Roman Road where the players’ registration is open from January 4 to 26.
link
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/east_end_tribute_2_a_legend_soccer_matches_to_charge_fans_50p_a_goal_1_1751390
Arsene Wenger reflects on the most difficult part of his reign
Manager Arsene Wenger insists he will never be satisfied with what he has achieved at Arsenal.
The Gunners head to Wigan tomorrow looking to climb back into the
top three of the Barclays Premier League, after what has been one of
the most testing spells of Wenger’s 16 years at the helm.
While Arsenal may be a club transformed from the side the French coach walked into back in October 1996, Wenger feels his work is far from done.
“I am never satisfied. I just try to do my best,” said Wenger, who current deal runs until 2014.
“I have been the most criticised in the last seven years (without a trophy), but I feel for a manager it was more difficult in the first years.”
Asked to reflect on how history would remember his time at Arsenal were civilisation to have fallen today, Wenger joked: “The Mayans were wrong - the end of the world came at Bradford!”
Defeat at Valley Parade in the Capital One Cup was unquestionably a major setback to Arsenal’s hopes of silverware this season, although there is still the FA Cup to play for and the Champions League.
While Arsenal may be a club transformed from the side the French coach walked into back in October 1996, Wenger feels his work is far from done.
“I am never satisfied. I just try to do my best,” said Wenger, who current deal runs until 2014.
“I have been the most criticised in the last seven years (without a trophy), but I feel for a manager it was more difficult in the first years.”
Asked to reflect on how history would remember his time at Arsenal were civilisation to have fallen today, Wenger joked: “The Mayans were wrong - the end of the world came at Bradford!”
Defeat at Valley Parade in the Capital One Cup was unquestionably a major setback to Arsenal’s hopes of silverware this season, although there is still the FA Cup to play for and the Champions League.
QPR boss pours ice cold water on Lampard rumour
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has quashed any reports that the R’s are going to sign Frank Lampard in January.
The Chelsea midfielder had been tipped for a surprise move across
west London as his time at Stamford Bridge comes to an end, but the
65-year-old does not have the funds to complete such a deal.
He confirmed: “I can’t afford [Steven] Gerrard or Lampard.
“They’re not going to come there. It’s difficult for us to bring players in”
He confirmed: “I can’t afford [Steven] Gerrard or Lampard.
“They’re not going to come there. It’s difficult for us to bring players in”
Monday, 17 December 2012
Russian soccer fans demand club not sign homosexuals, blacks
The largest fan group of Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg have demanded the club refrain from buying black and gay players following turmoil surrounding the acquisition of Brazil striker Hulk.
“We’re not racists but we see the absence of black players at Zenit as an important tradition,” Zenit fan club Landscrona said in a letter, called the “Selection 12 manifesto”, posted on its website (www.landscrona.ru) on Monday.
“It would allow Zenit to maintain the national identity of the club, which is the symbol of St Petersburg.”
Zenit have been the only top club in Russia to have never signed an African player while the northern city of St Petersburg is known to have a strong right-wing nationalist influence.
The fans said they want more home-grown or European players in the team.
“We only want players from other brotherly Slav nations, such as Ukraine and Belarus as well as from the Baltic states and Scandinavia. We have the same mentality and historical and cultural background as these nations,” the letter said.
They also expressed their opposition to having “sexual minorities” in the team and demanded that each player would give “101 percent effort” in every match.
Several prominent black players have turned down lucrative offers from the wealthy club over the past 12 months after receiving death threats from Zenit fans, local media reported.
A Zenit spokesman said on Monday the club would not comment on the fans’ letter.
Former Zenit and Russia striker Alexander Panov said the fans have no right to influence the club’s selection policy.
“If we don’t have enough good players from St Petersburg, then what should the club do?” the St Petersburg native was quoted as saying by local media.
Should FIFA step in and demand an apology from Zenit?
“All clubs around the world have black players. If they are absent from Zenit – it’s Zenit’s problem. I don’t think fans should demand the club buy or don’t buy certain players. The fans have the right to go to the stadium or stay home.”
Zenit have been in turmoil for the past few months with several senior players unhappy after the wealthy club splashed out more than $100 million on Brazilian Hulk and Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel just before the transfer deadline.
Zenit demoted Russia skipper Igor Denisov to the reserve team in September after he refused to play, issuing an ultimatum to renegotiate his contract in line with what Hulk was making.
Denisov was later allowed to rejoin the first team after making an apology.
link
“We’re not racists but we see the absence of black players at Zenit as an important tradition,” Zenit fan club Landscrona said in a letter, called the “Selection 12 manifesto”, posted on its website (www.landscrona.ru) on Monday.
“It would allow Zenit to maintain the national identity of the club, which is the symbol of St Petersburg.”
Zenit have been the only top club in Russia to have never signed an African player while the northern city of St Petersburg is known to have a strong right-wing nationalist influence.
The fans said they want more home-grown or European players in the team.
“We only want players from other brotherly Slav nations, such as Ukraine and Belarus as well as from the Baltic states and Scandinavia. We have the same mentality and historical and cultural background as these nations,” the letter said.
They also expressed their opposition to having “sexual minorities” in the team and demanded that each player would give “101 percent effort” in every match.
Several prominent black players have turned down lucrative offers from the wealthy club over the past 12 months after receiving death threats from Zenit fans, local media reported.
A Zenit spokesman said on Monday the club would not comment on the fans’ letter.
Former Zenit and Russia striker Alexander Panov said the fans have no right to influence the club’s selection policy.
“If we don’t have enough good players from St Petersburg, then what should the club do?” the St Petersburg native was quoted as saying by local media.
Should FIFA step in and demand an apology from Zenit?
“All clubs around the world have black players. If they are absent from Zenit – it’s Zenit’s problem. I don’t think fans should demand the club buy or don’t buy certain players. The fans have the right to go to the stadium or stay home.”
Zenit have been in turmoil for the past few months with several senior players unhappy after the wealthy club splashed out more than $100 million on Brazilian Hulk and Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel just before the transfer deadline.
Zenit demoted Russia skipper Igor Denisov to the reserve team in September after he refused to play, issuing an ultimatum to renegotiate his contract in line with what Hulk was making.
Denisov was later allowed to rejoin the first team after making an apology.
link
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Police Probe Toon Fan With Albanian Flag!
Each and every week we read about racist abuse at football matches. From players, referees and fans. And now a Newcastle fan has been reported for having an Albanian flag!
Police are investigating an allegation of racist abuse after Manchester City star Aleksandar Kolarov became involved in a heated exchange with a Toon fan at St James' Park.
aNorthumbria Police spokesman: "Northumbria Police has received a report of racist language having been used at the St James' Park stadium during the Newcastle United v Manchester City match.
"Northumbria Police takes such allegations extremely seriously and enquiries are ongoing into the incident."
It is understood 27-year-old Serbia international Kolarov became involved in a lengthy exchange with a supporter carrying an Albania flag as he warmed up on the sideline during the game.
There is a long history of tension between Serbia and Albania, particularly over the disputed Kosovo region.
Neither club was commenting on the matter, although it is understood that Kolarov will be spoken to by police next week.
The defender was introduced as a 37th-minute replacement for the injured Samir Nasri, but was also substituted 18 minutes from time.
link
Police are investigating an allegation of racist abuse after Manchester City star Aleksandar Kolarov became involved in a heated exchange with a Toon fan at St James' Park.
aNorthumbria Police spokesman: "Northumbria Police has received a report of racist language having been used at the St James' Park stadium during the Newcastle United v Manchester City match.
"Northumbria Police takes such allegations extremely seriously and enquiries are ongoing into the incident."
It is understood 27-year-old Serbia international Kolarov became involved in a lengthy exchange with a supporter carrying an Albania flag as he warmed up on the sideline during the game.
There is a long history of tension between Serbia and Albania, particularly over the disputed Kosovo region.
Neither club was commenting on the matter, although it is understood that Kolarov will be spoken to by police next week.
The defender was introduced as a 37th-minute replacement for the injured Samir Nasri, but was also substituted 18 minutes from time.
link
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