Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney has told him he does not want to sign a new Old Trafford contract and is keen to leave the club.
However, the veteran United boss denies that he has fallen out with the former Everton star and says the 24-year-old will not feature in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bursaspor because of an ankle injury.
"David Gill spoke to Rooney's agent at the end of last season and he intimated he would not be signing a contract and he wanted away," said Ferguson.
"I was shocked as, in March, Wayne had said he was happy, he was at the best club in the world and wanted to sign a new contract.
"I then spoke to Wayne and he told me, in his own way, that he wanted away.
"The offer is there and, although money has not been spoken about, I doubt whether many other clubs could match such an offer.
"We'll keep everything open to Wayne as he's such a good player. We've done everything we can for Wayne since he's been here, so it's disappointing it's ending like this. We're bemused why he wants to leave.
"I've never had an argument with Wayne at all. He got an injury against Rangers last month and I spoke to him before the Sunderland game and, because he wasn't playing very well, we decided not to play him then.
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"He would then have ten days to recover and he could play for England against Montenegro, get his form back and kick on from there.
"It was disappointing to hear him say after that game that he was not injured. A scan has shown a minor injury and he needed treatment on it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Roman Pavlyuchenko has stated that he is glad to have ended his time at Tottenham by signing for Lokomotiv Moscow, but does not regret moving to White Hart Lane.
The Russia international failed to hold down a regular first-team place with the north London outfit, and this season was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart commanded the starting berths in attack.
Pavlyuchenko is looking forward to starting to play again in his homeland, instead of being a fringe figure in England.
“I think all the decisions I have made during my career have been right,” Mirror Football report the eastern European marksman to have said.
“My decision to sign for Lokomotiv is not an exception. I could have stayed at Tottenham and dealt with meaningless things.
“My desire is to play. I decided, together with my family, that this is the best way.
“I was playing in a strong league, I enjoyed the game and I scored some important goals.
“During the time I spent [in England], I developed as a footballer and I became more professional.
“Lokomotiv are a top team and I want to help to reach the serious goals. This season it’s a reality to win the Russian title,” he admitted.
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Tottenham have signed Louis Saha as Pavlyuchenko’s replacement, who made his debut from the bench against Liverpool on Monday night.
Vitoria Guimaraes recorded a 1-0 win over Beira-Mar to move into the fifth European spot in Liga Sagres on Sunday.An 87th-minute goal from striker Marcelo Toscano could prove vital before Saturday’s last round of games.
The win put Manuel Machado’s team into the last of three Europa League spots with a game against bottom-placed Naval de Maio to finish their season.
Beira-Mar are 11th but can finish as high as ninth if results go their way.
Porto were held for just the third time this season as a hat-trick from Pacos de Ferreira attacker Pizzi earned his side a 3-3 draw.
The champions-elect, who have won 26 of their 29 league games and are undefeated this campaign, had gone into half-time with a 2-0 lead after goals from Maicon and Hulk, before Pizzi pulled one back three minutes into the second period.
Porto’s Columbian striker Falcao restored the two-goal buffer soon after, only for Pizzi put his side back into the game in the 59th minute.
When Pacos de Ferreira attacker Nelson Oliveira was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Joao Moutinho three minutes later, it looked as though their hopes of getting anything from the game were gone.
But Pizzi popped up two minutes from time to level things up and move his team into seventh.
Nacional’s hopes of finishing in the top five were dealt a blow after they suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Olhanense.
Forward Toy scored the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute for the 12th-placed side, leaving Nacional one point from fifth-placed Guimaraes.
A first-half brace from Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo set up Benfica’s 2-1 win over Rio Ave.
Cardozo found the net twice in the opening half an hour as Rio Ave slipped to eighth.
Substitute midfielder Braga pulled a goal back one minute from full-time but they could not find another during stoppages.
In other games, Sporting Lisbon suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Vitoria Setubal after a 55th-minute goal from attacker Jailson.
It saw Sporting Lisbon drop to fourth after Sporting Braga played out a 0-0 draw with Academica to move into third.
Portimonense moved off the bottom thanks to a 1-0 win over ninth-placed Maritimo, with winger Ivanildo scoring the only goal of the game on 62 minutes.
Maritimo defender Igor was sent off when he picked up a second booking seven minutes before full-time.
It leaves Naval de Maio on the bottom after they suffered a 1-0 loss to Uniao de Leiria, where substitute Joao Silva scored the only goal of the game.
It seems like every other day that a live football game graces our screens and we are treated to the valuable insights and whimsical ramblings of our esteemed football commentators. On occasion, some of their more bizarre utterances can be disorienting for the uninitiated, so for those left wanting for an explanation of the mind of these beautiful people, here is a plausibly competent look at some of the more confusing sayings in their vocabulary.
“He couldn’t have hit it any better” – This is usually said when a player hits the woodwork, or if the keeper pulls off a dramatic diving save. It’s wrong of course, especially in the case of post or bar hitting because yes, yes he quite clearly could have hit better. Even the most rudimentary of calculations would conclude that any method of actually scoring would fall under the definition of “hitting it better”. In fact even the commentators themselves know this as sometimes they may even declare…
“He’s almost hit it too well” – Which of course he hasn’t, because he’s hit it straight at the keeper. Like 110%, this is also completely impossible.
“He could have had a hat-trick today” – This is often said when a player misses 3 or more goal scoring opportunities. The implication is obvious but displays a glaring lack of understanding of relative cause and effect. In short, no he couldn’t have.
“Away goals count double” – This one is a constant bugbear of sensible people as it leads to far too much needless confusion amongst idiots. No they don’t count double, not even when the scores are level. That would be ridiculous and incredibly hard to keep up with. They’re just a novel way to decide tied matches.
“On his day he’s as good as anyone” – This is just a nice way of saying he’s an incredibly inconsistent player who often isn’t very good.
“If that was on target it’s in, cos the keeper was never getting there” – This of course depends wildly on whereabouts on the target it would have gone in the fertile imagination of the commentator, and a completely pointless observation anyway. Basically, it would have gone in if it had gone in the place he wanted it to go in, which it didn’t.
“It’s a real six pointer” – This is used when two teams near each other in the table meet. No more than 3 points are ever, and have ever been at stake for such matches. Or indeed, any matches.
“It’s early doors here” – This simply means it’s early here. I’ve no idea where the doors come in, or why they would even need to. I’ve never encountered an early door in my life. I’d like to though, if only to see what it was.
“He’s made a meal of it” – This means a player has made a challenge look more painful or dangerous than it actually was. What kind of meal he may have made of it is up for debate A particularly extravagant dive could equate to a seafood platter for example, whilst a prolonged feigning of injury is clearly a Tandoori Chicken with Basmati rice.
“Back of the net” – The actual back of the net is behind the goal facing the fans. You’d have to be incredibly rubbish to actually hit it and It would probably require the willing (or unwilling) participation of the stewards. It doesn’t really have a “Roof” either, but apparently you can score “into it” somehow.
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“Great cross but no on was in there” – This means the player hit a hopeful inaccurate cross into the box that wasn’t aimed at anybody. This would generally be seen as an appalling cross.
“Hoping to get something out of the game” – Which basically means, they’re playing for a draw. This can also be used as “We’re hoping for a result” which is a standard pre-requisite of any football match anyway.
There are countless more which currently escape me, but if you – the reader – can think of any, please feel free to mention them. I’ll then edit them into this article and pretend I thought of it in the first place.
There is little doubt that the January transfer window has been something of a tame affair with many clubs opting to a more prudent approach, after the millions that were shelled out twelve months ago. Only a cool £25m has been spent so far, which is simply half of what Chelsea paid out for Fernando Torres and £10m less than Liverpool shelled out for Andy Carroll on deadline day a little under a year ago. Indeed most of the signings last January have hardly made any significant impact at any level and perhaps that is why many football chairman are unwilling to splash the cash, in what both Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have both called a poor time to do any transfer business. The Frenchman in particular questions whether the attitude of the players that move on in January is right and therefore could be a reason as to why so many of them subsequently fail.
The transfer deadline is fast approaching and while Fergie and Wenger maybe right to question the wisdom of January shopping, the likelihood is that there will be certain clubs who won’t be able to resist the lure of some last minute bargain hunting. There are plenty to be had in the Premier League and who certainly can expect some last minute enquiries in the next 48 hours.
Click on Kolo Toure to unveil the 15 Premier League bargains to be had
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Everton manager David Moyes believes an England call-up would be long overdue recognition for low-profile midfielder Leon Osman.The Merseyside club have recovered from a slow start to reach seventh in the English Premier League table, with Osman one of the most consistent performers at Goodison Park this season.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay in the Everton first team from 2004 onwards, but has never gained international recognition for his efforts.
That could be set to change, with England coach Fabio Capello reportedly considering Osman for his next European Championship qualifying squad.
“Well, that would be great if they are (looking at Osman),” Moyes said.
“I think that he’s sort of one that’s underneath since I’ve been here – he’s never just quite made the extra little bit, maybe to get involved with the England squad, but if that’s right that would be great.”
“He’s been a really good player for us.”
Osman joined Everton as a youth player in 1997, making his first-team debut at the end of the 2003/04 campaign, Moyes’ second full season in charge.
“He’s been a big part since I’ve come here, not just the recent form,” Moyes said.
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“He’s been very much right in there, doing as well as most people. He doesn’t maybe get the recognition or the plaudits he deserves a lot of the time.”
“He’s suffered a little bit with injuries in recent years, little bits at times that he’s been out, but overall he’s been an excellent player who we can rely on, we trust him and he’s done a really good job since I’ve been here.”
Aston Villa caretaker-manager Kevin MacDonald will think long and hard before deciding whether to go for the job on a permanent basis.
MacDonald stepped in following Martin O'Neill's surprise departure on the eve of the new season.
He will remain in charge for the second leg of Thursday's Europa League qualifying play-off against Rapid Vienna and also Sunday's Premier League encounter with Everton.
MacDonald will then make a decision about his long-term future.
"It's got to be thought out very, very closely," he said.
"It would be a great opportunity for me, but it would be a great opportunity for anybody who could take over this job because it is a big club."
Meanwhile, MacDonald claims he doesn't know whether Sunday's 6-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United has harmed his chances of being offered the job on a full-time basis.
He conceded:"I think people on the outside would probably look at it that way.
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"But from my own point of view it hasn't changed my stance towards what I was trying to do.
"Whether it's damaged my opportunity, I've not thought of it as that yet."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Tottenham are currently the best team in the Premier League at present and represent the biggest threat in taking the title away from one of the Manchester clubs. The United boss believes it is simply a three-horse title race, with both Chelsea and Arsenal deemed also-rans for this season.
Elsewhere in the news Balotelli is urged to quit smoking; Liverpool look to gazump Chelsea to Cahill, while Dalglish is excited by Gerrard’s new start.
Ferguson fires title warning at City – Guardian
Dalglish excited by Gerrard’s new start – Independent
Balotelli urged to quit smoking – Daily Telegraph
Wenger confirms Henry’s return – Guardian
Capello: foreigners ruining England – Daily Telegraph
Gower’s day of destiny with Spurs arrives – Independent
Liverpool ready to gazump Chelsea’s Cahill bid – Mirror
QPR set to sign Man United striker Macheda on loan until end of season – Daily Mail
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You can forget about signing Mi, Spurs – Sun
Chelsea still interested in Rodwell…but not for £20 million – Mirror
David Villa knows that Barcelona must take advantage of playing the first leg at home in their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.The La Liga title holders have an opportunity to take an aggregate lead in the quarter-final tie when they play host to Shakhtar at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
But if they fail to gain a positive result at home, Barca may need to become the first team to win away to Shakhtar in Europe since the Ukrainian champions moved to the Donbass Arena in 2009.
“We’ve had a good weekend in the league (beating Sevilla on Sunday) and are very happy about it, but now we are in another competition against a tough opponent,” Spain striker Villa said.
“We’re playing at home in front of our own fans, but we still need to play well and not make hard work for ourselves in the second leg.”
“At this stage of the competition it’s very difficult to take a clear advantage going into the second leg (which is) at a ground at which Shakhtar haven’t lost yet.”
“They also play much better football in front of their own fans. We need to play well there.”
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti seemingly aimed a parting shot at new Liverpool signing Joe Cole by implying that Cole isn’t as tactically aware as his replacement at Stamford Bridge, Yossi Benayoun. Ancelotti has been quoted on Skysports saying:
“Joe Cole is quicker than Benayoun but Yossi is better tactically. He understands what I tell him.
“Yossi is a very intelligent player. He knows everything about the game.
“Cole and Benayoun are different players and everyone has their own opinion, but we are happy to have Yossi here at Chelsea.”
The media have been quick to jump on Ancelotti’s back following his apparent back-handed comments about a former Chelsea favourite. However, like many things in life, there is more in these words than meets the eye.
Ancelotti’s quotes could in one way be construed as a thinly veiled attack on Cole, insinuating that the England international was unable to follow tactical orders and therefore difficult to manage. Worse still for Cole, Ancelotti could also be saying that he is unintelligent due to his inability to adhere to the manager’s wishes.
At times, Cole’s lack of tactical awareness was indeed evident. Cole has always been a mercurial talent and it is this unpredictability that is a huge facet of his game. With his technical ability, Cole always had the potential to produce something out of the ordinary. This was most clearly evident in Cole’s audacious backheel winner against Manchester United that effectively ended the Red Devil’s title challenge.
Being played out of position on the wing, Cole’s natural instincts as an attacking midfielder caused him to frequently drift infield. As a result of this tendency, Cole often found himself operating against the manager’s wishes as the wingers in the team are supposed to create width rather than diminish it.
Similarly, Ancelotti isn’t the only Chelsea boss to have noticed a lack of tactical discipline in Cole’s game. Jose Mourinho routinely chastisted Cole for his reluctance to track back and defend, causing the then Chelsea manager to haul off Cole on a number of occasions. The Portuguese manager has said of Cole:
“There are two faces to Joe Cole. One is beautiful, and the other I don’t like.”
“He scored a very important goal for us today, attacked really well, but from the moment he scored the game finished for him. I needed 11 players for defensive organisation and I only had 10. There is still a lot he needs to learn. That was not good enough for me, and I was very critical from the dugout.”
However, on closer inspection, Ancelotti’s quotes do not tell the whole picture. Here is the quote in full as taken from the official Chelsea website:
“He[Benayoun] is an intelligent player, tactically he knows everything very well,’
“I tried to put him as a right midfielder in this pre-season and he can also play in his usual position as a winger.”
“He has to train, to improve his condition, but I think for us he is a good player to play because tactically he is very intelligent.”
“Everyone can explain his opinion, we are happy to have Yossi here. I think Joe Cole in Chelsea did a fantastic career but this year is another story.”
“Joe was quicker, with respect to Yossi, but tactically I think Yossi is better.”
When presented with the whole context of the interview, it is clear that Ancelotti’s comments are not meant to be a slight on Cole. His words are simply used to indicate his confidence in Benayoun and to show that the club has since moved on from the release of Joe Cole.
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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery