Anders Iniest: Rooney Is One Of The Best Player In The World

Next week sees Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.

This will be the second meeting between the two sides in a Champions League final in 3 years following Barca's 2-0 victory in Rome back in 2009.

Despite the victory, Barcelona realise that they face a different proposition in this United side and Andres Iniesta, who was integral to Barcelona's win last time round, has heaped praise on his opposition.

Speaking to The Independent, the world cup winning midfielder said:

"Rooney is one of the best players in the world and I love watching him play.

"They have Nani as well and a very good defence.

But if you had to pick out only one, then for their history and for all that they have achieved it would have to be Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs. They are two shining examples for any player."

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Ferguson (Manager Of The Season) and Vidic (Player of the Season) :Barclays

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic have won the Barclays Premier League manager and player of the season awards

 

United boss Ferguson, 69, has been rewarded for guiding a team many thought would struggle this season to the Premier League title and a Champions League final against Barcelona.

It is United's - and Ferguson's - 12th Premier League triumph, and a record 19th overall top-flight title for the club. It is Ferguson's ninth such award.

Serbia centre-half Vidic, 29, has been a key player for the club, making more league appearances than any other team-mate this season (35) and scoring five goals in the process.

It is the second time Vidic has won the award, which is voted for by representatives of football's governing bodies, the media and supporters.

United sealed the title with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers last weekend, although their 2-1 win over closest rivals Chelsea the previous weekend effectively won them the league.

They face Barcelona in a Wembley final on May 28 as they bid to win their fourth European Cup.

Anders Iniesta Calls Sir Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes "Living Legends"

Iniesta hails 'legends' Giggs and Scholes

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are "living legends", Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta

The Spanish international, who scored the winner in last year's World Cup final, was speaking to his club's TV channel about his rivals ahead of the Champions League final at Wembley on May 28.

"(Scholes and Giggs) are living legends," Iniesta said. "They have played a great number of games, have broken records, have won titles and furthermore they prove they in every game they are great professionals."

Giggs, 37, and Scholes, 36, helped United win Europe's elite club competition in 1999 and 2008.

"They are examples for us and for youngsters who dream of triumphing some day. They are references you can learn a lot from," Iniesta said.

Reuters

Man Utd And Barcelona Running Behind Mario Goetze

Barcelona are ready to challenge Manchester Unitedfor the signature of Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Mario Goetze.

The 18-year-old has been a long-term target for Sir Alex Ferguson, who is keen to strengthen his midfield this summer.

But United will now face a battle with their Champions League final opponents Barcelona for Goetze, according to reports in Spain.

The attacking midfielder was an integral member of the Dortmund side who clinched the Bundesliga title this month, scoring six goals in 33 appearances.

But he now looks set to follow Nuri Sahin, another of Dortmund's key players, out of the door this summer.

Sahin was a transfer target for Liverpool, but the Turkey international chose La Liga over the Premier League by signing for Real Madrid earlier this month.

Now Barca hope his former team-mate Goetze will make a similar decision by snubbing Old Trafford for the Nou Camp.
 

Boss Confirms Paul Scholes Will Extent Contract at Man Utd and Strong Team Vs Blackpool

The Red Devils boss says he has encouraged the midfielder to stay and has confirmed that changes will be made against the Seasiders with the Champions League final in mind

FA Cup Semi Final- Manchester City v Manchester United, Paul Scholes

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Paul Scholes will extend his stay at the club.

The midfielder, whose contract runs out in the summer, is yet to sign a new deal at Old Trafford and had looked set to retire at the end of the season.

But Sir Alex told reporters: "I don't think it will be his last game. We have discussed it and I have encouraged him to stay on for another year. We'll talk at the end of the season."

The Red Devils boss has also dismissed suggestions that goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will be rested for the final Premier League fixture of the season against Blackpool, but has confirmed that he will make changes for the match.

The game will be Van der Sar's final league appearance of his career and Ferguson has said that the Dutchman will be one of several experienced players to feature on Sunday.

But with the Red Devils facing Barcelona in the Champions League final just six days later, Sir Alex has confirmed that he will need to "keep the right energies" ahead of the match at Wembley.

"Obviously people expect me to leave players out and that will be the case. I have to think about next week [the Champions League final]," Sir Alex told reporters.

"I have to juggle the balls and make sure I get the right mix and keep the right energies for Barcelona.

"There are players who need a game anyway. Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Anderson will all play. So will [Dimitar] Berbatov, [Patrice] Evra and Van der Sar."

He added: "We'll do our fairest to make sure there's no criticism of the club.

"The only thing you could be criticised for is if you lose a game and it affects other teams. That's when you should be put under scrutiny for the team you picked.

"Against Hull [in 2009] we played all the young players and we won 1-0, so there was no reason to criticise the selection on that occasion. This time it will be the same again. We have to make sure we win.

"For some reason the previous year, Neil Warnock found it easy to criticise us for losing to West Ham. But if he had seen the game we battered them, so it was a bit unfair."

The veteran boss also admitted that he was not looking forward to the game given what is at stake for United's opponents.

"This game on Sunday is not the kind of game you actually enjoy," he said.

"You are talking about one point separating five teams.

"It is very tight down there and you could sense what was coming with the way the league was shaping.

"Losing a couple of games can put you right back in the mire and Sunday is going to be a very important day for the futures of these clubs, which means it is not the easiest game for me to pick a team in."

Videos: Have A Look At Potential United Signing David De Gea

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."

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.'