Friday, May 20, 2011
United New Signing: David De Gea Coming To Old Trafford
Manchester United believe they have secured their first signing of the summer. Spain Under-21 goalkeeper David De Gea has confirmed he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, and now his club have accepted, in principle, a United offer of around £16million.Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed this week he wants three high-profile new faces to cover the departure of some of his most experienced players, with Gary Neville and Edwin Van der Sar retiring, and Paul Scholes possibly following suit. A keeper is top of his list, and positive contact has already been made with representatives of De Gea, who is only 20 but is already regarded as one of the best at his position in Europe. Contrary to suggestions in Spain, no deal has yet been signed. But the new Premier League champions are supremely confident they have their man after being given permission to talk to the player. Chief executive David Gill said: "We know the keeper we want and are in a good position, and I'm sure we can get the deal done." But the De Gea deal is clearly just the start of a big-money summer for United, who are prepared to spend big to ensure they replace important players with quality performers proven at the highest level. While De Gea is still a youngster, he has already won his spurs at the top level, helping Atletico win the Europa League last season and the UEFA Super Cup back in August and playing in the Champions League.
David Maddock, Daily Mirror
The Guardian speculate that Paul Scholes may play his last game for the Reds against Blackpool on Sunday with the midfielder set to retire from the game. The Sun features quotes from Wayne Rooney who says he is desperate to play against Blackpool. "You play football to play in these games and I hope I can play on Sunday. You want to keep ticking over."
Sir Alex's team selection will be very much under the spotlight on Sunday and the Express'Matt Dunn reckons United could be sued if we lose and another team is relegated.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Three Significant Signings This Summer
Veteran boss admits he wants new players to improve the "overall quality" of the title-winning team, and reveals he wished he could have taken banner goading Liverpool to Anfield
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he wants to make three summer signings to bolster his Manchester Unitedsquad.
The Premier League champions have been linked with a host of players over the last few months and are expected to bring in a replacement for retiring Edwin van der Sar, but the veteran boss did not give any names to reporters at United's end-of-season award ceremony.
"We have some ideas in mind," said Ferguson.
"Hopefully we can get them put in place. I am looking at maybe three signings which would boost our overall quality in our team."
Ferguson also revealed that he wished he could have been involved in a prank at Anfield on Sunday which saw United fans goad Liverpool supporters with a banner celebrating their record-breaking 19th title.
The banner was hung from the Anfield Road end prior to kick-off, and the offending group of supporters made their getaway in a car waiting outside the ground.
"I wish I had taken that banner to Liverpool on Sunday," added Ferguson.
"I bet there were 76,000 fans wishing they had thought of that."
The Premier League champions have been linked with a host of players over the last few months and are expected to bring in a replacement for retiring Edwin van der Sar, but the veteran boss did not give any names to reporters at United's end-of-season award ceremony.
"We have some ideas in mind," said Ferguson.
"Hopefully we can get them put in place. I am looking at maybe three signings which would boost our overall quality in our team."
Ferguson also revealed that he wished he could have been involved in a prank at Anfield on Sunday which saw United fans goad Liverpool supporters with a banner celebrating their record-breaking 19th title.
The banner was hung from the Anfield Road end prior to kick-off, and the offending group of supporters made their getaway in a car waiting outside the ground.
"I wish I had taken that banner to Liverpool on Sunday," added Ferguson.
"I bet there were 76,000 fans wishing they had thought of that."
Neymar still dreaming of a move to Manchester United
Neymar has revealed he still dreams about playing in Europe, and put Chelsea and Manchester rivals City and United on alert by naming them as ideal clubs to join.
The Brazil starlet turned down the chance to join the Blues last summer and instead trebled his money by agreeing a new five-year deal at Santos.
The 19-year-old striker, who this season scored both goals in a 2-0 friendly win over Scotland at the Emirates Stadium, has also been linked with European powerhouses Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Samba style: Neymar made a mark at the Emirates with two goals against Scotland earlier this season
But Neymar revealed that it was Chelsea's interest that excited him, and that his Brazil international team-mates at Stamford Bridge, David Luiz and Ramires, had told him all about life on the King's Road.
The Santos star also expressed admiration for Manchester, although some doubt remains over which club he was referrring to as he mentioned neither United or City directly.
Naymar said: 'I was very happy about Chelsea's interest because it is a club which every player would like to play for, but at that moment the right decision was to stay at Santos.
'To play in Europe is my dream. I was very proud of Chelsea's interest and I hope to keep playing well so that this proposal can happen again.
Home sweet home: Neymar (left) chose to stay at Santos despite an offer from Chelsea last year
'I know about these teams; Chelsea, Manchester – to play for them are the dreams of all players.
'I know about players in England – Drogba, Lampard, Gerrard – these are very good players. I have spoken to Ramires and David Luiz and they say England is a very good country and London is a beautiful place to live.'
But Neymar also revealed he had not made his mind up as to which European club he would like to join when he finally leaves Brazil, saying: 'I do not have any preference – the decision belongs to God.'
Paul Scholes is the greatest Manchester United player of all Time
Former team-mate urges 36-year-old to put aside thoughts about retirement to continue for another season at Old Trafford, and relishes the Rooney-Chicharito pairing
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke believes that his old team-mate Paul Scholes is the greatest player in the club's history.
The midfielder, who played alongside Yorke in the famous treble-winning team of the 1998-99 season, is out of contract in the summer and is considering retiring at the end of the campaign.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Yorke said: "In my eyes Paul Scholes is the best Man United player of all time.
"I still see Scholesy train. He is still one of the best players out there. Unfortunately he does not have as many opportunities because in the past if you picked a Manchester United team he is the first name. When we are picking a team among ourselves everyone wants Scholesy because any team he is in will control the ball."
Scholes has come in for criticism this season after picking up a red card in United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to rivals Manchester City, but Yorke believes the ex-England international can play on for another season.
He added: "So I think one more year would be ideal for Paul Scholes but I know for a fact that he is contemplating whether he wants to have one more year or not."
The former Trinidad and Tobago international made his name at Old Trafford alongside Andy Cole, with the pair scoring 53 goals in his debut season at the club as United went on to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Now, United appeared to have found another world class striking partnership in Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, and Yorke feels that they are a deadly asset.
He said: "They are so great to see. In every team you want your strikers to play well. There is no point in having those great midfielders and defenders if your strikers are not great because at the end of the day, these are the players that will win you football matches. They have a great combination.
"What is exciting about them is that one goes long and one goes short and that is the ideal partnership or combination. You don't want two players being similar with both coming for the ball.
"Chicharito is not interested in coming to the ball. He is only interested in getting beyond and getting a goal. Rooney is interested in coming back and linking the play.
"Once you are running towards the goal the way he [Chicharito] does and you have such players behind you, you will always score goals. I think they are a great asset to have."
Yorke also played for Aston Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland in the Premier League but insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson was the greatest manager that he ever played under.
He said: "He [Ferguson] is second to none. He is the best manger I played under without a doubt.
"He is great in motivating players. But who motivates him you wonder? He comes every day to the training but he could be sitting at home."
Manchester City were playing in Division Two [the equivalent of League One] when Yorke joined United in 1998 but having seen them rise in stature following their multi-million pound takeover a decade later, the former striker admitted that the club have become a force to be reckoned with, and predicts they will become stronger in the years to come.
"You'd be silly to ignore them," said Yorke. "I'm not saying money will buy you success, not at all, but it certainly helps and they are just beginning to see the fruits of their ambition.
"As long as they have the pockets deep enough to keep attracting top names to the club, and crucially, players who are at their peak, then they're going to be contenders.
"Whether they can bring the combination of players together who can win the title is a different challenge.
"Alex Ferguson said recently that he felt the league was getting harder to win, rather than easier which is interesting for a guy who has won it as often as him.
"Maybe he's playing mind games with the other clubs who are looking to win a league trophy and knocking them down a peg or two, but it certainly won't be an easy task to win a league regardless of how much money they have to spend."
The midfielder, who played alongside Yorke in the famous treble-winning team of the 1998-99 season, is out of contract in the summer and is considering retiring at the end of the campaign.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Yorke said: "In my eyes Paul Scholes is the best Man United player of all time.
"I still see Scholesy train. He is still one of the best players out there. Unfortunately he does not have as many opportunities because in the past if you picked a Manchester United team he is the first name. When we are picking a team among ourselves everyone wants Scholesy because any team he is in will control the ball."
Scholes has come in for criticism this season after picking up a red card in United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to rivals Manchester City, but Yorke believes the ex-England international can play on for another season.
He added: "So I think one more year would be ideal for Paul Scholes but I know for a fact that he is contemplating whether he wants to have one more year or not."
The former Trinidad and Tobago international made his name at Old Trafford alongside Andy Cole, with the pair scoring 53 goals in his debut season at the club as United went on to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Now, United appeared to have found another world class striking partnership in Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, and Yorke feels that they are a deadly asset.
He said: "They are so great to see. In every team you want your strikers to play well. There is no point in having those great midfielders and defenders if your strikers are not great because at the end of the day, these are the players that will win you football matches. They have a great combination.
"What is exciting about them is that one goes long and one goes short and that is the ideal partnership or combination. You don't want two players being similar with both coming for the ball.
"Chicharito is not interested in coming to the ball. He is only interested in getting beyond and getting a goal. Rooney is interested in coming back and linking the play.
"Once you are running towards the goal the way he [Chicharito] does and you have such players behind you, you will always score goals. I think they are a great asset to have."
Yorke also played for Aston Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland in the Premier League but insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson was the greatest manager that he ever played under.
He said: "He [Ferguson] is second to none. He is the best manger I played under without a doubt.
"He is great in motivating players. But who motivates him you wonder? He comes every day to the training but he could be sitting at home."
Manchester City were playing in Division Two [the equivalent of League One] when Yorke joined United in 1998 but having seen them rise in stature following their multi-million pound takeover a decade later, the former striker admitted that the club have become a force to be reckoned with, and predicts they will become stronger in the years to come.
"You'd be silly to ignore them," said Yorke. "I'm not saying money will buy you success, not at all, but it certainly helps and they are just beginning to see the fruits of their ambition.
"As long as they have the pockets deep enough to keep attracting top names to the club, and crucially, players who are at their peak, then they're going to be contenders.
"Whether they can bring the combination of players together who can win the title is a different challenge.
"Alex Ferguson said recently that he felt the league was getting harder to win, rather than easier which is interesting for a guy who has won it as often as him.
"Maybe he's playing mind games with the other clubs who are looking to win a league trophy and knocking them down a peg or two, but it certainly won't be an easy task to win a league regardless of how much money they have to spend."
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