The 2010/11 season has arguably Nani’s year and the Portuguese winger has finally shown the Old Trafford faithful what all the fuss was about and why Sir Alex Ferguson maintained his belief that he would come good at Manchester United. It is a shame that his season has been cut short during the past week, but that is generally what happens when an opponent puts studs into your shin bone.
While Nani looks to recoup at home and get himself back to full fitness he can take great pleasure while his beautiful other half, Daniela Martins, looks after him. I’m sure Nani is gutted at missing a chunk of United’s run-in, although I am certain that Miss Martins will more than cushion the blow judging by the gallery below.
Click on Daniela Martins to see her in all her glory
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Manchester United have made no secret of their desire to replace the retiring Edwin Van Der Sar this summer and manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has announced his intention to augment the squad with at least three new arrivals. The Red Devils boss confirmed that specific transfer targets have been identified and that the Glazer authority is comfortable in approving a summer spending spree at Old Trafford. But are United, who sit contentedly at the summit of the Premier League and are yet again chasing a European treble, in desperate need of new recruits or is Ferguson’s latest proclamation an attempt to convince the fans, and Wayne Rooney, of United’s transfer ambitions?
United’s need of a long-term replacement for their veteran Dutch ‘keeper is well known, and Ferguson will be cautious not to repeat the transfer blundering which saw the Scot sign no less than 10 goalkeepers in the six years between the departure of Peter Schmeichel and arrival of Edwin van der Sar. Reports over the last few months have revealed Ferguson’s interest in a number of young and promising shot-stoppers, amongst them Maarten Stekelenburg of Ajax, Manuel Neuer of Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen’s Rene Adler and 20 year-old David de Gea of Atletico Madrid. All four have featured prominently for their clubs this season and which one, if any, will be playing at Old Trafford next season remains to be seen.
Perhaps the greater interest lies in Ferguson’s wish to add to his outfield force. United’s transfer dealings since the acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov have mainly highlighted an intention to build towards a bright future but caveated with the exits of two of Ferguson’s greatest assets, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. The high-profile exodus, coupled with United’s less than inspiring overall performance last season, encouraged Wayne Rooney to declare his intention to leave in October. Even though the England international eventually reneged on his avowal, Ferguson’s latest revelation would appear to upset a recent pattern of subdued transfer activity.
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The most important question is surely whether the United side have any weak areas in need of improvement, especially as Antonio Valencia has just returned from a lengthy injury and Fabio, Rafael and Javier Hernandez appear to be developing rapidly. Ferguson implied that he is satisfied with the Old Trafford strike-force, highlighting Danny Welbeck’s and Mame Biram Diouf’s impending returns from loan spells as evidence of United’s attacking depth.
Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra have all procured contract extensions within the last month, which suggests that Owen Hargreaves and Park Ji-Sung could soon find themselves cut-loose from Ferguson’s long-term plans. Rumours have been circulating for some time intimating moves for Wesley Sneijder, who could provide a solution to United’s creative paucity in midfield, and Daniele de Rossi, who would be able to deliver the defensive tenacity Michael Carrick fails to. Ferguson has proved his ability to land prominent players in the past, as the signings of Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar Berbatov demonstrate, but his latest admission represents something of a transfer U-turn from the League’s longest serving manager.
As aforementioned, Ferguson has, in the last three years, tangibly attempted to sign up-and-coming talent with varying results. Even though Fabio, Rafael and Javier Hernandez appear to be flourishing, Ferguson will have to admit his oversight in the acquirement of Zoran Tosic and Gabriel Obertan and the lack of commitment United showed in purchasing 19 year-old Adam Ljajic who has exhibited some impressive performances in Fiorentina’s first-team this season. Perhaps these lapses in transfer market intuition have provoked Ferguson to revert to type.
It is still anyone’s guess which new faces will feature in United’s pre-season show-piece against Barcelona in Washington on 30th July, or if any will have joined by then. But the club’s recent transfer record, Wayne Rooney’s exit threat and United’s less than convincing outings in the League this season suggest Ferguson’s latest intentions are not just empty talk.
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Despite the disappointing Europa League elimination to SC Braga, Steve McManaman is certain that King Kenny is the man to restore Liverpool’s fortunes.
The 60-year-old Scot is in charge at Anfield until the end of the season but it is unclear as yet whether he will remain in charge thereafter.
It was Dalglish who gave the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder his first team debut as an 18-year-old towards the end of his last spell at the club and McManaman wants to see his former gaffer re-installed on a permanent basis.
Speaking as the UEFA ambassador at the Bangkok leg of the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, McManaman said: “Who else can you name that is available at the moment that would be a more suitable candidate for the job on a full time basis than Kenny? There isn’t anyone.
“He knows the academy inside out as well as a host of players across Europe.
“Even when he wasn’t at the club, he could have told you everything you needed to know about each player in the academy, their strengths and weaknesses.
“This wasn’t a man who took time off and wasn’t involved in football. He was still heavily involved on a variety of levels and always has been and still is an expert when it comes to the knowledge of the game.
“He has unified the club and taken them from just outside the relegation zone to the lofty heights of sixth in the league.
“Back in January, when I spoke to people about Liverpool, everyone was moaning and asking what was happening at club. Now everyone seems happier and they know that the team is tick along.
“He has rescued a pretty average season really if you are a Liverpool fan. I think everyone knows that the Reds won’t win the league without significant investment but now everybody is walking around with a smile on their face and that’s down to King Kenny.”
As well as the huge upturn in form, there seems to be more stability at the club since Dalglish returned to the Anfield hotseat.
McManaman reckons that his former mentor has helped Liverpool Football Club to re-find its identity.
“Football has changed a lot in the 20 years since Kenny left. We now live in an age of scientists, doctors and dieticians but he has brought a lot of old school values back to the club.
“There are certain things that should be sacrosanct within the club and he understands that. The old boot room mentality of getting help and the Liverpool way, the things used to be done that had been lost over the years.
“The club started to have headlines splattered on both the front and back pages of the newspapers and that is not healthy.
“Being brought up with the boot room mentality with likes of Kenny, Ronnie Moran and Roy Evans, I felt that a lot of those old school traditions needed to be brought back and Kenny is the perfect man to do that.
Despite being pleased that Dalglish is bringing back some of the traditional ways, McManaman refutes any suggestion that his old boss is out of touch.
“Kenny brings a certain sensibility to the club but as much as he is an old school manager, you have to move with the times.
“Alex Ferguson has been in charge at Old Trafford for what seems like forever and there’s no way that he could be accused of being stuck in old ways.
“And it’s the same with Kenny, just look at the people he has got sitting around him on the sidelines. They are people who know about all of the latest technical advancements available to squeeze just another one-per-cent out of players.
“With the history and traditions of Liverpool there is still a time for the old school methods but there is no doubt that Kenny has moved along.
“In the 10 years he hasn’t been in management he certainly hasn’t stood still and he will embrace the old with the new now that he is back in charge.
“I am sure that he is definitely the right man to restore Liverpool Football Club to where they should be.”
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The Trophy Tour
The schedule of the 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken is:
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February 22 – 27: Kuala Lumpur
March 5 – 6: Penang
March 11 – 12: Kuala Lumpur
March 16 – 17: Bangkok
March 19 – 20: Chiang Mai
March 25 – 27: Kon Kaen
April 6 – 9: Seoul
April 15 – 17: Hong Kong
There will me more to follow about the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken…
Tottenham’s entertaining run in the 2010/11 Champions League came to a disappointing end last night, as Spurs didn’t manage to put on a show for the White Hart Lane crowd and fell to a 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid, losing out 5-0 on aggregate to the La Liga giants.
The damage was obviously done at the Bernabeu, but Harry Redknapp would have been hoping that his side would have been able to bring some respectability to the tie. However, Tottenham were unable to find the back of the net and had a number of decent penalty shouts turned down. Just to rub salt into the wounds, Heurelho Gomes made a terrible mistake to allow Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot to squirm past him – the second time in a week that’s happened.
Spurs, though, will be able to look back on their debut Champions League campaign with plenty of pride, and now attention turns to the Premier League and ensuring they qualify for the competition next season.
So what FIVE things did we learn about Tottenham last night?
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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was pleased his players showed spirit as their 4-2 win over Wigan came at a cost on Saturday.All six goals were scored in the second half at the Stadium of Light and Wigan went back into the relegation zone on the back of the defeat.
Mohamed Diame had given the visitors the lead but it lasted barely three minutes as a Jordan Henderson brace and goals from Asamoah Gyan and Stephane Sessegnon gave Sunderland a 4-1 lead.
Substitute Franco di Santo pulled a goal back for Wigan late on.
Bruce paid a price for the win, however, as both Phil Bardsley and Gyan were stretchered off and Danny Welbeck also had to be substituted.
“Unbelievable. We go a goal behind and we’ve lost two or three players. We’ve lost every striker at the club but we managed to score four,” Bruce told Sky Sports.
“It doesn’t really make sense but thankfully they’ve shown a bit or resilience and they needed to.”
“It was a bit anxious and a bit nervy at times but we’ve dug deep and got the result we need which catapults us back into the top 10.”
“But we can’t mask over exactly what’s happened to us with the injuries and it nearly wrecked today as well which is the disappointing thing.”
The win broke a nine-game winless run for Sunderland but Bruce will be forced to finish the season with barely a striker left in the squad.
Bruce said there was a problem his club needed to address.
“It’s caused us a huge problem over the last three months,” he said.
“Thankfully today we’ve got away with it and the ones who have really played well, the young ones today especially, have stood up to the task.”
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez says it was ‘impossible’ for his side to get a result with big calls going Sunderland’s way in the loss.
Martinez rued referee Lee Probert’s decision to award Sunderland a 73rd-minute penalty that Sessegnon converted.
“I’m disappointed because it was a very different performance until the first goal. I felt we were well in control, we were growing into the game but we stopped Sunderland completely and then the hardest thing is to score that away goal,” Martinez told Sky Sports.
“From then on we just got a little bit anxious and then we got punished. The penalty is just a ridiculous decision. It is a shoulder-to-shoulder action that should never have been given.”
“And then all of a sudden they get a two-goal lead and then you are chasing the game and the scoreline does not reflect the performance.”
“Overall it was two completely different games. Unfortunately the big calls didn’t go our way and it was impossible to get a result.”
Martinez still feels his team are competitive enough to avoid relegation and that the battle to avoid the drop will come down to the last day of the season.
The Daily Mail is reporting that Real Madrid has joined Manchester United and Liverpool is the race to sign Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. Young is valued at around £15m and Aston Villa will be prepared to sell in the summer because he will only have one year left on his contract.
Young has been in decent form this season in the Premier League scoring 6 goals and providing assists for a further 10 goals. Young is believed to have told his Aston Villa teammates that his preferred destination is Old Trafford but Liverpool also hold out strong hopes.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has indentified Young as a player that who can not only succeed in Spain but also make the La Liga outfit a profit. Manchester City is also believed to be monitoring the situation.
Ashley Young is also beginning to establish himself as a regular in England squads and has now won 14 caps for his country. If Young was to move for £15m in the summer that would represent a decent profit for Villa – who paid an initial fee of £8m when they signed the wide player from Watford in January 2007.
Follow me on Twitter @jimlk2007
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Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri was ecstatic after his side sealed a Champions League berth next season with a 1-1 draw at home against Inter Milan.The point was enough for Napoli to clinch third place on the Serie A table, and they are now set to tackle European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the Champions League next season.
It will be the first time for 21 years that Napoli will play in Europe’s premier competition and Mazzarri was understandably a happy man.
“It has been an extraordinary night and I have to thank everyone who works around the team, creating a sense of harmony to help the players give their best,” he said.
“This journey has been going for two years now and after talking to the club I will go into the press room and say what needs to be said.”
“Quite aside from personal rapport, we are professionals and have to be clear at the end of every season on where we are going in future.”
While Napoli know what they will be doing next season, the same cannot be said for Mazzarri.
The 49-year-old said last week he may leave the club at the end of this season, but the experienced manager would not expand on his statement when quizzed after the Inter Milan game.
“I really cannot answer this question until I have spoken to the club. I could lie, but I am always clear and I say that we must talk things over with the club before making any decision,” said Mazzarri, who is under contract with the club until June 2014.
“My honesty is often inopportune for this football world and admittedly I lack something in diplomacy. Please be patient, as after the meeting with the President we will be able to make everything clear.”
“I don’t know when the meeting will be, as I am an employee and have to wait for the President to call me in. Once we discuss everything in a 360 degree analysis, we’ll inform the media of our conclusions.”
“The first time I said that I’d have to talk things over with the President was before the Parma game, when we had four consecutive victories. It is nothing new, as I do this every summer. I just wanted to talk about this celebration and the wonderful atmosphere.”
Monaco were relegated from Ligue 1 after losing 2-0 at home to Lyon on Sunday, with the visitors securing a route into the Champions League.Second-half goals from centre-back Pape Diakhate and centre-forward Lisandro Lopez settled the match at the Stade Louis II in Lyon’s favour.
Monaco, Champions League finalists as recently as 2004, will be in Ligue 2 next season after suffering their first relegation since 1976.
Lyon meanwhile are in the Champions League qualifying rounds after finishing third, four points ahead of PSG, who could only draw 1-1 away to Saint-Etienne.
PSG never looked likely to take all three points from their visit to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard and they needed Mathieu Bodmer’s 90th-minute equaliser to escape with a draw.
Elsewhere on the final day, champions Lille came from behind to beat Rennes 3-2 at home.
Arles, who finished bottom, went down 3-1 at home to Sochaux.
The other relegated side, Lens, also finished with defeat, losing 4-0 at Nancy.
Nice finished 17th, just two points clear of the drop, and had to rely on Monaco’s defeat to secure their survival after they lost 2-1 away to Valenciennes.
Marseille, already assured of second place and Champions League qualification, drew 2-2 away to Caen.
Bordeaux defeated Montpellier 2-0, while Toulouse accounted for Brest by the same scoreline.
Finally, Auxerre finished the season in ninth place after beating Lorient 2-1.
The season may have recently drawn to a close leaving football fans around the nation with a two month wait before competitive club matches begin again. However all is not lost. Now June is here so too is the Under 21 European Championship Finals, beginning on the 11th and running through to the 25th.
After finishing runners up in the previous competition, England have a real chance to win it this time round however they won’t have it easy. The tournament is sure to be bursting with talented youngsters who have potential to develop into stars of the future. Below are some ones to watch when the competition kicks off next week.
David De Gea – The Atletico Madrid number 1 may well be on his way to the Premier League next season, if rumours emanating from Old Trafford turn out to be true, and it’s easy to see why when his past achievements are examined. At only 20 years old De Gea has already won the European Championship and a runners up medal at the World Cup at Under 17’s level. He has also helped his club to Europa League and Super Cup glory in his first two seasons as the first team goalkeeper. With all the speculation linking him with the new Premier League Champions, as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar, all eyes should be on De Gea during this tournament.
Phil Jones – Blackburn have had a tough campaign this season, only narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day, however things could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for their assured 19 year old centre back. Jones seems to be able to read the game like an experienced footballer way beyond his years, accompanied with his strength, pace and tackling ability he has been recognised as having huge potential, with many of Europe’s elite said to be watching the Preston born teenager. Versatility is also a part of his game, with his ability to occupy a holding midfield role when necessary, making him a huge asset to Stuart Pearce ’s squad.
Christian Eriksen – Winner of both the Danish Under 17 Talent of the Year in 2008 and Danish Talent of the Year in 2010 this 19 year old Ajax star is sure to take the spotlight on his home soil in Denmark. Eriksen has had the honour of being touted as the next Michael Laudrup , playing with finesse and great technique and occupying a similar play-maker, attacking midfield position of the legendary Dane. Eriksen also appeared as the youngest player to feature in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and must certainly be noted as one to watch in the coming tournament.
Xherdan Shaqiri – This 19 year old attacking midfielder is considered by many in his home country of Switzerland as the future of Swiss football. He too was called up to the World Cup finals last summer and scored his first international goal for his country against England in a European Championships qualifying match, receiving praise from both Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard in the process. Having come out of FC Basel’s youth academy, Shaqiri won player of the tournament at the Under 15’s Nike Cup. Despite interests from Europe’s elite clubs he stayed in Switzerland and now holds down a first team squad position at Basel, featuring for them in the Champions League competition this close season.
Tom Cleverley – The 21 year old Manchester United midfielder has made a strong impression at Wigan Athletic this season with his skilful and determined performances, demonstrated by his 25 appearances whilst on loan at the club. He has been loaned out by United in three successive seasons, heading to Watford in 2009 scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances and Leicester City the year before scoring twice with 15 appearances. The youngster has shown a lot of promise gaining healthy first team action over the past seasons and, with the announcement of Paul Scholes’ retirement on Sunday, perhaps this tournament is a stage set for Cleverley to show Ferguson exactly why he should be given a chance at United next season.
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Read more of Oliver Jones’ articles at This is Futbol
Dwayne de Rosario returned to haunt New York Red Bulls, while reigning MLS champions Colorado bounced back to form by toppling Vancouver.De Rosario struck the crucial goal in DC United’s 1-0 win over the Red Bulls, keeping the Washington club’s playoff hopes intact.
Billed as the missing piece for the Red Bulls upon his signing from Toronto in April, the Canada international’s stay in New York was to include just 13 games and two goals before he was sent to DC United in exchange for Dax McCarty on June 27.
The veteran midfielder appeared a man on a mission on his first time back in New York on Saturday, and got the goal his performance deserved at Red Bull Arena in the 61st minute.
De Rosario’s dummy from Andy Najar’s pass enabled Josh Wolff to take possession with his back to goal.
The forward turned on the spot and fed a pass to De Rosario, who made no mistake in finishing past Greg Sutton in New York’s goal.
The Red Bulls had four more shots than their opponents and won the possession battle 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent, but could not find a way through United’s defence and now sit top of the Eastern Conference by virtue of goal difference alone.
Philadelphia Union drew level on points with New York after a 0-0 stalemate with the San Jose Earthquakes, while Houston Dynamo are now within two points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
The Colorado Rapids were facing a fifth game without a win when the Vancouver Whitecaps visited Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but Connor Casey settled his side’s nerves with a 24th-minute strike after Jamie Smith’s cross.
Scott Palguta tapped home in the 68th minute to seemingly make the points safe for the Rapids, though Camilo Sanvezzo scored for the Whitecaps to create a few nervous moments for the home side.
But Colorado hung on to claim a 2-1 win – their first victory since June 11 – to put their title defence back on track.
The Los Angeles Galaxy increased their lead on top of the Western Conference to five points after their big names charged them to a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire.
Landon Donovan put the Galaxy ahead in the 58th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes when Fire forward Cristian Nazarit equalised.
But David Beckham handed his side all three points when his corner kick somehow evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area to cross the line.
Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City needed a 90th-minute goal from Mexican forward Omar Bravo to claim a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA, while Real Salt Lake defeated Dallas 2-0.