Super Mario banned from Manchester Derby!

Mario Balotelli

Manchester City will appeal against Mario Balotelli’s sending off against West Brom in order for him to face Manchester United.

City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed he will be seeking to overturn referee Lee Probert’s decision to dismiss the £25million signing to clear him for Wednesday’s clash at Eastlands.

The striker was shown a straight red card when he appeared to kick Youssouf Mulumbu. But after reviewing video footage, Mancini said: ‘He got a red card for what? I want to know why he got the red card.

‘The referee must explain to me why. It was not the right decision. So we will appeal.’

The Italian will petition the Football Association on Monday morning and the matter will be heard on Tuesday. If successful, Balotelli will be made available for the potentially explosive derby.

However, the striker – who plundered his first Premier League goals for City with a first-half brace – has left Mancini with an unwanted headache.

The manager has to prove Probert made a ‘clear and obvious mistake’ in order for the appeal to succeed. If the FA believe it is a frivolous appeal, they can add an extra game to the mandatory three-match ban that accompanies dismissals for violent conduct.

Mancini’s annoyance was fuelled by the fact that he was ready to substitute Balotelli with Adam Johnson.

The Italian player’s dismissal came just minutes after he was cautioned for a foul on Marek Cech midway through the second half.

Mancini added: ‘I was angry with him because I explained at the start that he needed to pay attention to the referee. And I was trying to make the substitution before he was sent off.’

Victory eased the pressure on the former Inter Milan boss after fourth-placed City’s run of three defeats to Arsenal, Wolves and Lech Poznan.

Mancini admitted his side’s confidence had taken a knock but insisted there had been an over-reaction to the losses. He said: ‘When you’ve lost two or three the atmosphere is not good and sometimes you lose when you don’t deserve to lose.’

Mancini left £72m worth of talent on the substitutes’ bench ahead of the clash with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. He added: ‘It was very important to win going into the derby. We are in a good position. Maybe we can get into second position after that game.’

By
Neil Moxley

Wenger hails Theo Walcott as the next Thierry Henry!

 

Theo Wacott

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he is ready to trial Theo Walcott in a more central position against Shakhtar Donetsk and compared the England international’s potential to transform from a winger to a striker to that of Gunners legend Thierry Henry.

Walcott has enjoyed a blistering start to the new season, netting six goals in seven games to prove he has added an end product to the explosive pace that has long been his best asset.

And Wenger believes that Walcott has demonstrated the sort of potential that he saw in Thierry Henry, who transformed from a talented young winger to one of the world’s most feared strikers under the French manager’s tutelage.

“He is very, very close to playing that striker role,” Wenger said. “He is more of a natural striker [than winger] as he likes to put the ball into the net himself. Theo is 21, give two more years to Theo and imagine what he will be.

Theo Walcott

“And don’t forget that when Thierry came here, he was a winger. When I first played him as a central striker, he said to me, ‘I can’t score goals’. In England, you are very impatient. Theo can be a prolific goalscorer as once he is a yard in front of the defender nobody can catch him.

“Before he rushed his decision but now he is different. It looks to me that Theo has a calmness in front of goal. Is Thierry a replica of Theo? Is Theo a replica of Thierry? No. But they have in common tremendous pace, they are good finishers and both are intelligent.

“Theo is the quickest player I’ve ever seen whereas Thierry is a player who likes the ball more. To go through what Theo has gone through, live it, as he has lived it, is incredible. No matter whether he has gone through – good or bad times – he shows commitment, intelligence, respect and humility.”

Wenger’s glowing commendation of Walcott is sure to lift the confidence of a player whose progress has often been hampered in recent years by injuries. The former Southampton man has thus far been guilty of inconsistency, though at just 21 he certainly has time on his side.

Henry was the same age when he joined the Gunners from Juventus in 1999, and while his impact was immediate in terms of his goal contribution, it was not until Arsenal’s title-winning campaign of 2001-02 that the plaudits really started to roll in.

Theo Walcott & Thierry Henry

But while Henry had Dennis Bergkamp as a strike partner in a 4-4-2 formation, it is difficult to see how a central Walcott would fit into the 4-2-3-1 currently favoured by Wenger, in whichMarouane Chamakh  – or a fit Robin Van Persie – provides a physical presence as the lone striker.

Wenger suggested instead that Walcott would most likely switch to a central role to boost his side’s counter-attacking options when they were ahead in a game, with a taller starting striker preferred. He said: “When I play with one up front you like a guy good in the air.”

By

Soccernet

Tottenham Star Gareth Bale plays out of his mind stopping Inter 3-1

Gareth Bale

Harry Redknapp insists Gareth Bale is not for sale at any price after the 21-year-old’s destruction of Inter Milan.

The Wales wide man was once again the star man as Tottenham swept aside the European champions with a 3-1 win in the Champions League at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night.

Bale had already sent shockwaves across the continent a fortnight ago when scoring a hat-trick during Spurs’ 4-3 defeat by Inter in the San Siro.

And his teasing of Brazil right back Maicon in the return fixture cemented his place as one of the hottest properties in the world – with Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid all keen on the former Southampton man.

Reports in Italy talk of a £35million price tag, but Redknapp warned: ‘I don’t think Gareth needs to go anywhere else to play his football.

As far as selling him goes, the people who own Tottenham are not poor people. They don’t need to sell him. He needs to stay here at White Hart Lane.’

Bale was once mocked for making 24 Barclays Premier League without being on a winning Spurs side, but he emerged in the second half of last season as an improving, marauding left winger, having earlier played at full back.

Barca dealmaker Andoni Zubizarreta confirmed his admiration earlier this week, Napoli recently admitted they made a move in the summer, while Inter, Juventus and AC Milan have all been linked since the end of last season.

Manchester United tried to sign Bale when he left Southampton for north London in 2007 and will regret missing out on the youngster who is increasingly looking like the Welsh heir to Old Trafford wing wizard Ryan Giggs.

Bale, who created goals for Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko after Rafael van der Vaart had hit Spurs’ opener, admitted he was trying to keep his feet on the ground after the game.

‘It was great,’ he said. ‘It was special beating the European champions. It will be a night that will never be forgotten.

‘I’m just trying to keep my feet on the ground, work hard in training and do well in games and enjoy my football. I’m happy at the moment.’

Spurs will hope that ‘the moment’ lasts for a long time – as his list of checkbook wielding European admirers lengthens.

By
The Mail

Man City radar in on Barcelona right back Dani Alves!

Dani Alves

Barcelona are bracing themselves for a £30million bid from Manchester City for Brazilian defender Dani Alves.

City have long been linked with the dynamic right-back and made tentative inquiries in the summer yet the 27-year-old looked ready to sign a new contract at the Camp Nou.

However, that deal has not been signed and Barcelona insiders fear that is because Alves believes he can get a much better deal with City – especially after seeing former teammate Yaya Toure strike a deal worth £220,000 a week.

Barcelona, who are £430m in debt, thought they had pushed the boat out by offering Alves £160,000 a week but it is understood to be heavily based on bonuses. He has stalled on signing and now Barca expect a £30m offer to come in January for a player who has just 18 months left on his contract.

Last week, amid reports Barca had given Alves a December 31 deadline by which to sign, his agent Joaquin Macanas said: ’Dani is one of the best defenders in the world and the big clubs desire his services. We only ask that Barca value him in reality for his work and development during these years.’

By
The mail

Jozy Altidore shines in rare start for Villareal

 

Jozy Altidore

Polideportivo Ejido 1-1 Villarreal

A goal on the stroke of full time from Moreno handed Polideportivo Ejido a share of the spoils against La Liga front-runners Villarreal in Andalucia.

The Yellow Submarines had forgettable memories of the Santo Domingo stadium, having been thrashed 5-0 there in a corresponding fixture in 2008, but tonight they thought they had did enough to gain the advantage, when American Jozy Altidore took advantage of a rare start to find the net and put the Primera Division side in pole position for qualification.

However they could not keep out the battling hosts, who finally drew level thanks to Moreno’s late effort.

By Paul Macdonald

Real October-fest! Madrid are on fire!

Real Madrid team photo before CL match with AC Milan

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refers to Jose Mourinho as ‘probably the best coach in the world’, although Mourinho would no doubt dispute the ‘probably’.

Today the Real Madrid boss is named on FIFA’s shortlist for manager of the year and is the clear favourite to be crowned king of his profession next month.

After his treble-winning season at Inter, he has had to face Real critics bemoaning his ‘negative’ football but he has answered them in the best way possible – with his side scoring 16 goals in three league games.

Real are enjoying their best start to the season for 19 years and such is the emphatic change from hard-fought victories to royal hammerings that a strange noise could be heard coming from one end of the Bernabeu during last weekend’s 6-1 win.

It was the sound of supporters singing the manager’s name at a club where players are worshipped: players and the presidents who sign them.

Not any more it seems. Real have scored the most and conceded the fewest. They sit at the top of the league and Cristiano Ronaldo has set a scoring pace which would see him hit 47 goals this season should he maintain it.

Pre-Mourinho, the boss’s name was not even announced to supporters but now it follows the team line-ups.

New signings Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil have been outstanding but it is the coach whose name is cheered the loudest before kick-off and it is he who is signing the autographs.

In Murcia on Monday, 2,000 fans greeted Real’s arrival for last night’s Spanish Cup game and club policy dictates that two players stop for the screaming hordes. But this week it was the coach and midfielder Pedro Leon who signed supporters, first at the airport and then the hotel.

As Mourinho fielded the fans’ adoration, his talisman Ronaldo was able to go quietly to his room. The coach protected his fellow Portuguese when he failed to scored in Madrid’s opening games. Now he has 11 in all competitions and Real’s haul of 22 goals in the league is one better than at this point last season.

Mesut Ozil

For Mourinho it seems there is no honeymoon period followed by a fall to earth. The steady start that precedes a goals explosion about October-time is a pattern established at Inter and Chelsea.

There were two 0-0 draws in Real Madrid’s first five games of the season and the purists among the fans were complaining to television schedulers that screening Real games on the same night as Barcelona’s was just cruel.

But October has brought 18 goals in four games in all competitions, just as the month sparked a sea-change for Chelsea in 2004.

After unconvincing wins over Manchester United, Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Southampton, October began with a win over Liverpool and defeat by Manchester City. But on October 23 Blackburn were hammered 4-0 and the goal-rush began.

The first big, convincing win for Inter came in October 2008 with a 4-0 away win over Roma.

At Stamford Bridge and at the San Siro, the league was delivered at the end of the first campaign. The Copa del Rey will be the first tournament to be decided in Spain and after two years of Madrid winning nothing Mourinho is believed to be taking it seriously.

A year ago today, his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini’s side went down 4-0 to third-tier Alcorcon. The ‘mother of all ridicules’ was how the Madrid press reported it and Mourinho warned at the weekend that if his players ‘did that to him’ then they would have an X put next to their name and be ‘counted among the dead’.

His decision to play Ronaldo and keeper Iker Casillas last night – the latter has not started a cup game since 2006, such was the low priority given to it – showed Mourinho’s intent, as did his decision to travel the night before.

Even if it meant facing the autograph hunters on the eve of the game.

By

Peter Jenson



Blaise Matuidi holding out for Arsenal or Liverpool

Blaise Matuidi

France midfielder Blaise Matuidi is ready to shun Juventus and hold out for a move to Arsenal.

The Gunners have tracked the 23-year-old since showing an interest last year and former defender Gilles Grimandi – who scouts for Arsene Wenger – is a keen admirer of the Saint-Etienne man.

Matuidi – who has also been linked with Liverpool – admits he is aware of interest from Italy, but believes his game would work best across the Channel.

It is nice to know a club like Juventus is following you or asking about you,’ he said. ‘(But) the league that would suit me best is the Premier League.

‘This is due to tactical, cultural and physical reasons, and the atmosphere in the stadiums.’

Saint-Etienne general manager Damien Comolli, who used to work with Spurs and Arsenal, is keen to hold on to the tough-tackling midfielder.

But with the likes of Sevilla, Valencia and Borussia Dortmund also showing interest, it seems only a matter of time before Matuidi moves on.

France boss Laurent Blanc has earmarked him as a player who can revive Les Bleus and handed him an international debut in the 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina last month.

By
The Mail

Samir Nasri emerging under Wenger at Arsenal

Samir Nasri

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is eager to tie down Samir Nasri to a new and improved long-term contract at the Emirates as reward for his fine recent form.

Nasri, 23, existing deal expires in 2012 but Wenger wants to ensure the star does not leave for nothing and stays until 2015, along with Russia international Andriy Arshavin whom the club are also keen to keep hold of beyond his current terms.

The France midfielder arrived at Arsenal in 2008 for £10million from Marseille and celebrated a fine goal and laid on an assist in the 3-0 win over Manchester City last weekend, which his manager lavished praise upon.

‘At 23 years old your career starts at the top level and he is becoming more efficient. I think he has become stronger physically and you judge a player with his numbers,’ said Wenger of Nasri.

On Sunday he had a goal and an assist so that’s what you want from players who have a lot of talent like he has.

‘He is quite a complete player because he can run with the ball, he is quick and he is a clinical finisher now. I believe we have a great player in him now.’

Change of heart! Rooney signs new 5 year contract with United

 

Wayne Rooney

England international Wayne Rooney has made the decision to stay at Manchester United after all. The former Everton star previously stated that he wanted to leave the club, but has now committed his future to United by signing a new five-year deal with the club.

“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.  I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay,” Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realize just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.  I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.

“I’m pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players.”

By Matt Monaghan

Samuel Eto’o is on pace for WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR!

 

Samuel Eto'o

With lightning pace and a deadly eye for goal, Inter Milan ‘s Samuel Eto’o has established himself as one of the world’s best strikers. Sam has already tallied a total of 12 goals in both Serie A and Champions League competitions this season, and scored two crucial goals against Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday night in Milan, Italy.

The Cameroon striker had a slow start to his career, struggling to make the grade as a youngster at Real Madrid, but after moving to Real Mallorca in 2000 he began to shine. He became the club’s all-time leading domestic scorer in four years and earned himself a big money move to Barcelona.

It was at the Nou Camp that Eto’o elevated himself into the upper echelons of the world’s best players, scoring for fun for the Catalans – with 125 strikes to his name in just 183 games. His impact was immediate as his goals helped Barca win the La Liga title in 2005 and then the Champions League in 2006. Injuries hampered his 2007-08 campaign but he still managed 11 goals in 17 league starts.

Eto’o was imperious in the Catalans’ treble winning 2008-09 season, netting 34 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions. But with a plethora of talent around him, coach Pep Guardiola decided Eto’o was surplus to requirements and traded him in for Zlatan Ibrahimovich in a move that saw the Cameroon forward move to the San Siro, where he continued to display his scoring exploits in Serie A.

Eto’o is off to a blistering start and if he continues to score goals at this rapid rate he should be number one on all lists for World Player of the year.

Say it aint so! Wayne Rooney wants out!

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has confirmed he wants to leave Manchester United – because he fears the club can’t attract top players to the club.

The England striker admitted he was shocked by manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s explosive press conference on Tuesday, but said he had nothing but respect for the manager.

However, after seeing Manchester City and Real Madrid spend huge sums on players in the last two years, he sought assurances from the United hierarchy before committing to a new contract.

‘I met with (chief executive) David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad,’ said Rooney in a statement. ‘I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract.’

It is understood that Rooney was seeking to double his £100,000 a week deal, but he insists that trophies – not cash – is behind his decision.

Ferguson said he was told on August 14 that Rooney would not sign a new contract, though the former Everton striker suggests he had continued negotiations until his dissatisfaction with the club bubbled to the surface on international duty last week.

Rooney questioned Ferguson’s authority by contradicting his manager about the existence of an ankle injury.

And while that spat appears a symptom rather than the root of the problem, Ferguson hit out at the 24-year-old and questioned his player’s respect for the club.

Rooney continued: ‘I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it.

‘It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

‘I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?’

The statement will add fuel to supporters who blame the debt saddled on the club as the reason why United sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last year and never replaced him with a player of similar stature.

Gill has always insisted there is money to spend at Old Trafford, while Ferguson accused other clubs of ‘kamikaze’ spending this summer and instead opted to buy young, unproven talent such as Mexico striker Javier Hernandez and unknown Portuguese winger Bebe.

‘For me its all about winning trophies – as the club has always done under Sir Alex,’ he said. ‘Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

‘Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

‘For Manchester United’s sake I wish he could go on forever because he’s a one off and a genius.’

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini today spoke of his admiration for Rooney but felt the striker would still stay at United. That now looks an increasingly remote prospect.

Real Madrid Jose Mourinho admitted last night that he would be interested if England’s finest player of his generation was on the market, while Sportsmail understands that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given the go-ahead for a bid.

It would be a huge blow for United to not only lose their best player – but also to strengthen a rival. And it won’t only be Rooney questioning if Ferguson has the funds and the energy to striker back.

By
Martin Samuel

Jack Wilshere displays his talent in Champions League win!

Jack Wilshere

Arsene Wenger hailed the emerging genius of Jack Wilshere after the precocious teenager guided Arsenal to a Champions League demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk.

After the 18-year-old midfielder capped a marvellous individual display with his first goal in the competition, Wenger said: ‘Jack’s maturity is miles ahead of his age. That is a sign of talent. I’m happy that he got a goal because he has been running after one in the last few matches.

He’s a box-to-box player, more than just a holding midfielder. But to be honest he can play in any position across the midfield. He can play behind the striker because he can penetrate.

We have to give him time and let him play. He plays football like he is playing with his mates and just plays the game like a real player.’

Wenger defended Wilshere over an ugly, first-half challenge similar to the one which saw him sent off against Birmingham City on Saturday. This time he escaped without a booking.

Wenger added: ‘Sometimes with what happened on Saturday, you might see a player hide in his next game. He didn’t do that.

‘OK , he was fraction late for a tackle tonight, but he went for the ball and I want him to keep that.’

Skipper Cesc Fabregas fired home a penalty and his comeback from a hamstring injury lasted 64 minutes, passing off without a problem.

He said: ‘I didn’t feel anything. It felt great.’

By
Ivan Speck

Cristiano Ronaldo fires Madrid past Milan!

 

Cristiano Ronaldo

With one Manchester United icon on his way out of Old Trafford, a former one was firing Real Madrid within touching distance of the knockout phase.

Cristiano Ronaldo destroyed AC Milan, scoring Real’s first and making their second as they eased to victory.

The 2-0 win brought up a milestone for Jose Mourinho – he became the only Real coach to go undefeated in his first 10 games in charge at the club, not having been behind in any of them.

As early as the 13th minute he was able to relax and enjoy the chants of his name coming from behind Iker Casillas’s goal. Ronaldo fired Madrid

into the lead on 12 minutes with a low free-kick that went between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Clarence Seedorf in the Milan wall, after Xabi Alonso had been brought down by Pato.

A minute later he raced down the left and pulled the ball back to Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil, whose shot hit Daniele Bonera’s head and cannoned over debutant goalkeeper Marco Amelia.

Milan hit the bar through playmaker Andrea Pirlo but Ronaldo could have scored a third for Real, Amelia turning his rasping drive around a post with 10 minutes left of the first half.

Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain should have increased the advantage with a close-range header six minutes after the break as Madrid continued to dominate, but Milan limited the damage.

By
Pete Jenson

Palermo put not for sale sign on young star Pastore

Javier Pastore

Palermo director Walter Sabatini says the club have no intention of parting with Javier Pastore.

Pastore, labeled the “new Zidane” by palermo president Maurizio Zampaini last month, is said to be attracting interest from clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, Sabatini has warned that even €60 million would not tempt them to sell.

“His valuation is based on the market,” Sabatini said. “Maurizio Zamparini speaks about important figures, but we have no intention to sell.

“Today, the president wouldn’t even sell him for €60 million. Our desire is for Pastore to stay even if we receive important offers. He is showing an incredible rate of progress game after game too. He is world-class both on and off the pitch.”

Palermo boss Delio Rossi said after the 4-1 victory over Bologna this weekend that Pastore still has to develop before he can be considered alongside the true greats.

“He has innate talent and is becoming the key man in the team, but certain comparisons are blasphemous,” he said. “He still has to grow.”

 

By

Soccernet.com

Sir Alex continues to push stars out of United!

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham

With Wayne Rooney allegedly telling his employers Manchester United that he no longer wishes to stay at the club, it looks as if Old Trafford could lose one of its most highly-rated superstars.

But Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign has seen no shortage of players, once regarded as undroppable, leaving the club swiftly following a fall out with the fiery Scot.

Rooney, 24, whose form on the pitch and philandering off the pitch have put a strain on the relationship with Sir Alex, would follow a long line of top players who departed Old Trafford in less than amicable circumstances.

With this in mind, Goal.com UK decided to glance back at the past and recount some of the high-profile rows that sparked exits from Old Trafford.

Paul Ince (1989 – 1995)

Ferguson and Ince shared a frosty relationship at Old Trafford, and even branded the player as a “big-time Charlie” after selling him to Inter for £7.5 million. Ince even did the unthinkable as he came back to England and played for fierce rivals Liverpool for two seasons, before moving on and eventually retiring in 2007.

Paul Ince

Jaap Stam (1998 – 2001)

The Dutch defender had criticized manager Sir Alex Ferguson and some of his team-mates in a rather candid autobiography in 2001. He was swiftly packed away to Lazio for £16.5m. Stam went on to win the Coppa Italia with the Roman club, before transferring to AC Milan and eventually Ajax before calling time on his career.

Jaap Stam

David Beckham (1993 – 2003)

He sustained an injury during the early stages of 2003, and was having some trouble regaining his spot in the starting line-up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having taken his place at the time.

David Beckham

But in February of that year, an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal saw the manager kick a boot in the changing room that hit the midfielder in the eye – with the former England skipper requiring stitches at the time.

Beckham was packed away to Real Madrid in a £25m deal, and he spent four fruitful years in Spain before moving to MLS side LA Galaxy.

Roy Keane (1993 – 2005)

The combative midfielder made a series of negative comments concerning his team-mates and fell into the bad books of the United management. And a row with Ferguson saw him make an exit on a Bosman transfer to Celtic.

A short spell in Glasgow was followed by retirement.

Roy Keane

Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001 – 2006)

The Dutchman was reported to have had a serious argument with then team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, following which the forward was left out of the side that played in the League Cup final against Wigan Athletic.

Ruud Van nistelrooy

Van Nistelrooy was sold to Real Madrid for a fee believed to be in the region of £8.7m. Ironically, Ronaldo also joined him at the Bernabeu three years later – though under very different circumstances. The prolific goalscorer has since moved to Bundesliga side Hamburg.

Carlos Tevez (2007-2009)

On 10 May 2009, Tévez was reported as saying that he believed his time at Manchester United would come to an end that summer and he expressed his dissatisfaction at not having been offered a permanent contract with the club and having been dropped from the team despite, in his opinion, not having played badly.

Carlos Tevez

Despite this outburst, Tévez was named in Manchester United’s starting XI for the derby match against Manchester City later that day, before scoring the second of United’s two goals on the stroke of half-time, which prompted chants of “Fergie, sign him up” from the club’s fans. After the match, manager Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn on the subject of Tévez’s future with the club, saying “I didn’t read any of the papers. He’s a Manchester United player.”

Cristiano Ronaldo (2003-2009)

On 11 June, Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Ronaldo after it was revealed that he again had expressed his desire to leave the club. It was confirmed by a representative of the Glazer family that the sale was fully condoned by Ferguson.

Cristiano Ronaldo

When Ronaldo had eventually completed his transfer to Real, he expressed his gratitude towards Ferguson for helping him develop as a player, saying, “He’s been my father in sport, one of the most important factors and most influential in my career.”

Wayne Rooney (2004-????)

Wayne Rooney

Will Wayne Rooney be the next United superstar to hit the exit door?

By Adithya Ananth & Ben Kesington