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[h=1]Defoe warns Modric he mustn't 'go into games sulking' after missing out on Chelsea switch[/h] Published 17:26 12/09/11 By MirrorFootball

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Jermain Defoe today admitted it was inevitable speculation over the future of Luka Modric would return to dog Tottenham once the transfer window reopens.
Modric was at the centre of one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, with Chelsea seeing at least three bids rejected for the wantaway Spurs playmaker, the last reportedly valued at £40million.
The speculation drove Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to distraction, causing him to brand the pre-season as his worst ever in management.
And striker Defoe today warned of more misery to come in January, telling talkSPORT: "There's always speculation - it's part and parcel of the game - and it will start again in January."

Modric was desperate to join Chelsea and accused Spurs chairman Daniel Levy of reneging on a promise to let him leave.
Team-mate Defoe added: "We just wanted the window to close, and he's here now and that's that.
"He's just got to be professional. You can't go into games sulking because you'll get found out and let the team down.
"But Luka's a good professional and, if you didn't know there was speculation about him going and you saw him about the place, you'd never know.
"He's been good. In pre-season, maybe other players would have said, 'I've got an injury and I don't want to play', but he didn't do that and I don't think there's many players who would have done that.
"Chelsea's a massive club and there was an opportunity for him but it didn't happen and now he's got to get on with playing football because he's a big player for us."

 

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[h=1]Quinn explains Gyan departure to Sunderland fans[/h] Published 16:37 12/09/11 By MirrorFootball

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Chairman Niall Quinn today outlined the five reasons which prompted Sunderland to accept a loan offer from Al-Ain for striker Asamoah Gyan.
The Ghana international sealed a lucrative season-long deal with the United Arab Emirates club on Saturday, less than 48 hours after informing Sunderland boss Steve Bruce of his desire to fight for his place at the Stadium of Light.
Bruce revealed his frustration after the weekend loss to Chelsea, implying Gyan had moved solely for financial gain.
But Quinn today confirmed the club had their reasons for letting their record signing depart.

In a statement on the club's official website, he said: "From the moment Asamoah returned for pre-season training we could tell that there were people trying to move him on. We hoped it would pass by, rebuking approaches from the Premier League, France and Turkey and felt the player would settle back down and continue to help our cause.
"Throughout this time we were also receiving real interest from Al-Ain, but it looked as if that too had lost momentum by last Wednesday.
"Steve spoke to Asamoah on Thursday morning, asking him to knuckle down and we were all set to move on. Later that day however Al-Ain began a prolonged effort to get the deal back on track and this turned the player's attentions once more to a possible move.
"Come Friday, the chairman of Al-Ain and his advisors had flown into Newcastle and arrived at our training ground to discuss a potential deal for Asa.
"They were very professional but determined to sign the player and at this point we took a number of things into consideration: the player's obviously negative demeanour in and around the training ground; the fact that the transfer window in the UAE had over 50 days remaining, meaning this was unlikely to go away; the clear desire of the player to leave; the forthcoming African Nations Cup, which would have meant losing Asamoah for up to six weeks in the new year; the obvious economic benefits to our club in the terms of the final deal laid out to us.
"In the early hours of Saturday morning chief executive Margaret Byrne and myself agreed a loan deal to allow Asamoah his wish to move but that would also, and more importantly, protect the club should things not work out for the player."
Reports this morning suggested Sunderland could receive as much as £6million for the temporary deal, while it was claimed Gyan will quadruple his wages in the Persian Gulf emirate.
Quinn added: "Steve Bruce, our owner and the board all found the football decision that Asamoah wished to make baffling but I, as chairman, with everyone's full support, decided that this deal was in the best interests of our football club.
"There was a lot of things that needed to happen before the deal was fully secured, such as a medical, which has in fact only just been completed today."
Quinn also revealed relations between Bruce and Gyan were again cordial, with the player making a contribution to the club's foundation.
The former Republic of Ireland international said: "Steve's frustrations towards the player, expressed minutes after the Chelsea game, were understandable at such a time but I can reveal that since then Asamoah and Steve have made contact and they are on good terms.
"The olive branch is now there for Asamoah, but he will need to convince Steve, the board and every Sunderland fan of his commitment to this club if he is to return. I am delighted however that he has agreed to make a sizeable donation to SAFC Foundation for each month that he is away on loan.
"It also goes without saying that this puts Steve and his recruitment options in a far stronger position for the January window."
Gyan was unveiled by Al-Ain this morning, stating he was joining an "important club" but refusing to drawn on his long-term future.
The 25-year-old said: "I'm really happy to be here. Al-Ain is an important club and this is a big challenge for me. There will be a lot of expectations on me, but not pressure.
"Everybody who has seen me in the World Cup and at Sunderland knows what I am capable of, but this is a new challenge for me as I'm a new player here.
"We have quality players in the club to win games and do well in the championships. We will try to build a winning team."
When pushed on whether he intended to remain with Al-Ain when his season-long loan deal expires, he added: "I don't promise. I'm somebody who doesn't promise."
***
Gyan claims 'challenge' the reason for shock loan move
Gyan to double his wages after quitting Sunderland

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[h=1]Meireles blames broken promise for Liverpool exit[/h] Published 15:54 12/09/11 By Martin Lipton

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Raul Meireles maintains he was forced out of Liverpool.
Many Liverpool fans have questioned the motivation of the Portuguese midfielder after his 11th hour deadline day transfer request eased the way for his £12million move to Stamford Bridge.
But Meireles made it clear he had no option other than to leave when the club said he was no longer wanted after telling him his understanding of an agreed pay rise after his successful first season at Anfield was not the case.
Meireles said: "I was aware that Liverpool wanted to sell me in the summer, which was a bit surprising to me.

"All I have to say is that I had one promise at Liverpool which wasn't fulfilled. It's not the only thing to blame but that's why the Liverpool fans are unsure why I left.
"Liverpool asked me to hand in a transfer request. That's normal, so that's what I did. There's no point touching this subject any more. I was a bit surprised, but now I'm just concentrating on my present and future, and that's with Chelsea."
The midfielder added: "I'm here now. I want to be here at Chelsea.
"When Chelsea showed interest, it was a golden opportunity. I had one year to adapt to the Premier League but it's two different clubs and different styles. We chase different competitions, and I just hope I can achieve things here at Chelsea."
Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas sold Meireles to Liverpool last summer after working with him at Porto for only a month, although the manager explained: "When I arrived at Porto he had already been there for five years and won titles, so he felt it was time for him to move.
"But it was not pushing away a player of this talent. He's a versatile player, who likes to receive the ball to spread the game and adds to our efficiency in midfield. At 28, he's a player who can still add to our squad."
Meireles added: "I worked under Andre for one month at Porto and feel there's the same mentality here as there was at Porto: the desire to win competitions, and trophies. With Andre, we can do that.
"It wasn't hard to get confidence to come to a great club like Chelsea. In one month, it was enough to see how he works and his desire to win things. So it wasn't hard to make the decision to come to Chelsea."

 

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[h=1]Mancini: Barca and Real Madrid missed one of the world's best in Silva[/h] Published 12:26 12/09/11 By David Anderson

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Roberto Mancini claims Barcelona and Real Madrid missed out on one of the best players in the world when they overlooked David Silva.
Mancini cannot understand why the Spanish giants did not try to sign Silva before he bought him last year and says he is as good as Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
The little Spaniard has played a key role in City's 100 per cent start to the season and has already formed a great understanding with Sergio Aguero.
"Silva is a top, top player," said the Manchester City manager. "I don't know why he didn't go to Barca or Real Madrid, because he's Spanish but we are lucky because he's here.

"If he had gone to Barca two years ago everyone would say he's one of the best players in the world - and he is one of the best players in the world.
"He's different from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo because they are strikers and score a lot of goals, but I think he's the same as Xavi and Iniesta."
Mancini will rotate his vast squad for City's Champions League debut against Napoli at the Etihad tomorrow and Edin Dzeko will hope to start after being rested against Wigan on Saturday.
The return of Dzeko, who has scored six goals this season, could relegate former skipper Carlos Tevez back to the substitutes bench and Mancini admits he can't please everyone with his team selection.
"They may not be happy and it's impossible because every player wants to play always, but I'm the manager and I need to take this decision," he said.
"Now we have a difficult match coming up, we play every three days and these players like Edin, Kolarov, Savic, Nasri have played two games in four days and they need to recover.
"We have a long year and I need all the players to be available as much as possible and sometimes it's better that they rest.
"We have the first game in the Champions League for the club, it will be an exciting night but we need to have a focus and make sure we beat Napoli.
"For Napoli it will be the first time in the European Cup after many years, after Maradona, and for them, like us, the first night will be very exciting."
Despite his affinity with Napoli, Maradona will be rooting for Aguero and feels his son-in-law finally has the platform his talent deserves at City.
Maradona, who will miss tomorrow's game because of coaching commitments with his UAE side Al Wasl, felt his fellow Argentine was wasted at his previous club Atletico Madrid.
"Aguero is playing in a team at Manchester City where he is going to fight for everything," he said.
"It was not fair, with respect to his team-mates at Atletico Madrid, for Aguero to be playing for a team who were not competing for the big championships.
"It was worrying me that he may have played for many years for Atletico Madrid and during that time they only had one star and didn't do much in Europe. Now Kun Aguero is playing at a place he deserves."
*
GOLDEN BOY: SILVA'S SEASON SO FAR BY THE NUMBERS
CHANCES CREATED
1 Lampard Chelsea 17
2 Murphy Fulham 16
3 Nasri Man City/Arsenal 15
4 Silva Man City 13
5 Petrov Bolton 13
DRIBBLES COMPLETED
1 Moses Wigan 15
2 Silva Man City 13
3 Sinclair Swansea 13
4 Hoilett Blackburn 13
5 Enrique Liverpool 10
SUCCESSFUL PASSES (Final third)
1 Silva Man City 100
2 Rooney Man Utd 85
3 Downing Liverpool 82
4 Bosingwa Chelsea 77
5 Murphy Fulham 76
PASSING ACCURACY (Final third)
1 Silva Man City 85%
2 Downing Liverpool 81%
3 Bosingwa Chelsea 79%
4 Murphy Fulham 78%
5 Rooney Man Utd 74%

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[h=1]Toon delighted to prevent dream debut for Barton[/h] Published 23:25 12/09/11 By Neil McLeman

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-against-old-team-for-QPR-article798369.html#

Alan Pardew claimed his Newcastle stopped the Joey Barton Show last night as his side climbed into the top four.
The former Toon midfielder was made QPR captain on his debut after his recent free transfer from St James' Park. But despite Neil Warnock's side dominating the game, Newcastle hung on for a goalless draw to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
QPR 0-0 Newcastle: Daily Mirror match report
"I am pleased with the point - we didn't deserve any more," admitted Pardew. "It was a difficult evening for us.

"It wasn't the Joey Barton show, because we didn't want that. For us, it was about making sure he didn't grab the headlines tonight and we managed to do that.
"After the game, I wished him well and shook his hand. He will be a good player for QPR. He will play better than he did tonight, especially at home. I wish him well."
Barton, one of five debutants in the side playing in front of new owner Tony Fernandes, said: "We should probably have won the game - we were definitely the better side. If we keep playing like that, we will win enough games. It was a little bit weird playing against Newcastle but that is football. Ships in the night. Onwards and upwards and I am really enjoying being here."
Warnock said: "I told Joey to play the game, not the occasion. I think he did that. Making him captain was just a logical thing. He epitomised what we were about tonight. He brought the best out of the other players.
"You don't often dominate for 90 minutes in the Premier League but we were not far off tonight. We had all the ingredients except a goal.
"For me it was the first game of the season. I am looking forward to the rest."

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[h=1]Is there any way back for United's forgotten man Dimitar Berbatov?[/h]

By David McDonnell
Published 12:23 13/09/11

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Have a guess at the identity of the glummest player leaving the Reebok Stadium on Saturday after Manchester United's 5-0 demolition of Bolton.
Gary Cahill, whose poor defensive display suggested Arsenal's supposed £6million offer for him was flattering in the extreme?
Or Jussi Jaaskelainen, who shipped five goals but whose rash approach on several occasions could have seen the Bolton keeper concede several more?
How about United midfielder Tom Cleverley? He left the stadium with his left foot encased in a protective plastic boot, fearing he had suffered a fracture following a poor challenge by Kevin Davies.

Even Cleverley, his fine start to the season jeopardised by the recklessness of an opponent, managed a laugh and a joke with his team-mates and United staff as he hobbled towards the team bus.
No, the prize for the most morose-looking player went to United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who sullen demeanour as he left the stadium was spectacular even by his moody standards.
Berbatov had just endured a fourth straight game on the bench, having only come off it once this season, so it was perhaps no surprise he wasn't doing cartwheels down the corridor leading from the away dressing-room to the exit.
Sir Alex Ferguson has assured the likes of Berbatov his time will come, insisting every member of his squad will play their part once the gruelling physical demands of the season and United's bulging fixture list start to take their toll.
But after watching Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez resume their strike partnership to such devastating effect at Bolton, plundering five goals between them and leaving Owen Coyle's side frazzled by their pace, movement and understanding, it's hard to see a way back for Berbatov at United.
Factor in the emergence of Danny Welbeck, whose superb start to the season was interrupted by a hamstring injury which was not as bad as first feared, with the young forward expected back in a fortnight, and Berbatov would appear to be more marginalised than ever.
Even when Hernandez was sidelined for three weeks as a precaution having suffered concussion during United's pre-season tour of the US, Berbatov will still unable to get a start, his only action so far this campaign a 25-minute appearance as a second-half sub against West Brom.
It represents a remarkable fall from grace for a player who, along with Carlos Tevez, scored 20 goals to share last season's Golden Boot, the prize awarded to the Premier League's top goalscorer. Having scored the bulk of those goals by the turn of the year, Berbatov has since started only four of United's last 18 games in the Premier League.
And it says everything about how Fergie now views Berbatov - and the player's new-found fringe status - that he could well make his first start of the season in tomorrow's Champions League group stage opener against Benfica, with Rooney and Hernandez preserved for Sunday's key Premier League showdown with Chelsea.
In short, Berbatov has become United's forgotten man, his demotion pointing towards a January exit for the 30-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season and who, as a consequence, can talk to other clubs from January 1 regarding a move.
On United's pre-season tour of the US, chief executive David Gill insisted there was no appetite to sell Berbatov, but no talks had been scheduled to take advantage of a one-way clause in the Bulgarian's contract to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
With every game that passes without Berbatov's involvement, the notion of United offering him a contract extension looks remote, the club increasingly likely to try to salvage some revenue from a player who cost them a club record £30million when he signed from Tottenham in 2008.
Despite an elegant first touch and an eye for goal, Berbatov's lack of pace and poor work ethic means there is no place for him in Ferguson's latest, youthful United team, whose speed, movement and a willingness to work for one another have made them such a formidable-looking side.
And with Barcelona having set the standard in Europe with their peerless swift and breathtaking style, whom Ferguson is desperate to topple before he eventually retires, there is no room for a languid player like Berbatov, who found that out the hard way when he was left out of the 18-man squad for last season's final at Wembley.
One of the enduring images from United last season was when Ferguson and his assistant Mike Phelan were caught by TV cameras laughing at Berbatov's sulking face as the 30-year-old spent another game sat on the bench.
It's doubtful Berbatov, notoriously sullen and aloof, would see the funny side, particularly with his United career now looking to have run its course.
***
Read David McDonnell's weekly Manchester United column exclusively on MirrorFootball every Tuesday

 

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[h=1]Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers[/h] Published 09:05 13/09/11 By Football Spy

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...ar-Kolarov-Tuesday-papers-article798400.html#

The transfer window may be shut, but some clubs are already planning their assault on the next one in January.
Here's the best stories from today's papers:
Transfer stories from today's Daily Mirror
Chelsea beat rivals to sign 'Scottish Wayne Rooney' - report

Gyan DOES have a future at Sunderland says Quinn
Meireles blames broken promise for Liverpool exit
Liverpool didn't want to sell Meireles - Comolli
Cahill insists Everton don't need to spend (even if they could)
QPR's Agyemang lined up for loan move
McClaren eyes up loan moves for Villa duo
Wolves set to offer star striker new deal
Today's transfer stories from other papers and websites
Arsene Wenger is lining up a New Year swoop for Real Madrid's Esteban Granero . The 24-year-old midfielder has been frozen out by Jose Mourinho and Arsenal boss Wenger hopes to land him for £15million. (The Sun)
Championship side Nottingham Forest want to take Manchester City outcast Wayne Bridge on loan. (The Sun)
Tamas Priskin wants to quit Ipswich after being frozen out by boss Paul Jewell. (The Sun)
Arsenal made a deadline day bid for Fiorentina striker and Chelsea target Stefan Jovetic but the Serie A club rejected the offer for the 21-year-old. (talkSPORT)
Juventus want to take Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov back to Italy in January. (talkSPORT)
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo says that he would be interested in playing in the Russian Premier League sometime in the future as the championship there "is becoming stronger". (Goal.com)
The representative of legendary Spanish striker Raul has revealed that his client will go back to his former club Real Madrid in "some role" once his playing career is over. (Goal.com)
David Beckham will make a decision on his future next month but is yet to hold any talks with Premier League clubs. QPR and Tottenham are both keen to sign him when his LA Galaxy contract expires in January, but the MLS club also want to keep him. (Goal.com)
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona target Neymar says he will not leave his current club Santos in January. (AS.com)

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[h=1]David de Gea is still my No1, says Manchester United's Alex Ferguson[/h] • Anders Lindegaard excels in goal against Benfica
• Manager bridles at suggestion of selection dilemma

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• Andy Hunter at the Estádio da Luz
• The Guardian, Thursday 15 September 2011 Article history
  
  
  Sir Alex Ferguson chose Anders Lindegaard in preference to David de Gea for Manchester United's opening Champions League fixture against Benfica, which was drawn 1-1. Photograph: Henry Browne/Action Images
  
  Sir Alex Ferguson angrily denied that David de Gea's status as the No1 goalkeeper at Manchester United is in jeopardy after Anders Lindegaard enhanced his credentials with a commanding performance at Benfica.
  Lindegaard produced several crucial saves in his first start of the season in a match in which Ryan Giggs equalised Oscar Cardozo's fine opener for Benfica with his 27th Champions League goal.
  Asked if the Denmark international's display had given him a selection dilemma for Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday, the United manager replied: "Not at all. David de Gea will play on Sunday. That's the understanding we had before the game and it doesn't change. I don't know why you ask these questions. You are just looking for stupid little things."
  Ferguson's brusque response was delivered to ITV's reporter Kelly Cates, daughter of the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish. He later indicated that a share of goalkeeping duties could become a common occurrence at Old Trafford. "We've got two great goalkeepers in Anders and David," he said.
  "We were always getting to the moment when we were going to share that. David will play against Chelsea on Sunday and possibly Anders will play against Leeds on Tuesday, depending on how I see the situation in terms of Ben Amos, who needs some game time also. There are opportunities to spread that load because coming over to the English game, it's such a competitive intense league for a young goalkeeper. There will come a time when I need to give him a break. This was a good moment because he had a fantastic game on Saturday, so this was a nice time to give him a break."
  Ferguson also paid tribute to Giggs who, on his first start of the season, secured a valuable point from distance. "It was a great goal, very good. I felt in the early part of the match he perhaps sat too deep in midfield but, when he got in behind them, in their central-midfield area, he was a real threat to them. It was terrific quality. I thought both goals were terrific. The boy Cardozo took his goal fantastically well, a fantastic turn and hit."
  Ferguson also gave Fabio da Silva and Darren Fletcher an outing but Dimitar Berbatov was left on the bench throughout. The Bulgarian striker has yet to appear this season. "It's hard because of the number of strikers we have," the manager said. "Michael Owen is there and we've got [Federico] Macheda and [Mame Biram] Diouf too. It's not easy. [Danny] Welbeck will be back the week after next and it's not easy. Dimitar has been training really well, his attitude has been spot-on, brilliant, really good, and he'll get his game time, there's no question about that, as the season goes on because we're into European football, the League Cup, the league games. There are plenty of occasions."
  
  

 

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[h=2]Champions League 2011-12[/h]

Cardozo 24

Giggs 42

Benfica 1
Manchester United 1

• Andy Hunter at the Estádio da Luz
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 14 September 2011 23.38 BST Article history
  
  
  Ryan Giggs of Manchester United gets the equaliser in their Champions League Group C match at Benfica. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
  
  There will come a time when Ryan Giggs is stood besuited before the TV cameras on a touchline somewhere in Europe as Manchester United fans sing his name and reminisce in the stands above, as they did for Roy Keane in Lisbon. Mercifully for United time is still waiting and the songs are not just for what the indefatigable Welshman has accomplished for the club in days gone by.
  Giggs struck a superb equaliser for Sir Alex Ferguson's side as their latest quest to dethrone Barcelona at the pinnacle of European football survived a stern examination by Benfica. A 27th Champions League goal, at the age of 37 years and 289 days, brought another record for the oldest scorer to grace the competition, overtaking Raúl with a goal in 16 successive seasons at the highest level of European competition. His first and second had arrived 17 years ago to the day, in a 4-2 victory over Gothenburg.
  This was also a night to savour for Anders Lindegaard, the Danish goalkeeper whose promise has been largely overlooked amid the scrutiny on David de Gea this season. With the Spaniard rested for Sunday's Premier League visit of Chelsea, Lindegaard excelled. Two outstanding late saves, followed by a glaring miss from the substitute Nolito, contributed greatly to an important point against arguably United's closest rivals in Group C.
  Benfica may not have the economic power to enhance a record of six European Cup final appearances, the last coming 21 years ago, but they presented another problematic night for United. Quick to surround Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher whenever the hub of United's midfield gained possession, Jorge Jesus' team disrupted the visitors' rhythm for much of the first half. It required the excellence of Giggs and, at the opposite end of the pitch and age-scale, several vital interceptions from Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans to deny the Portuguese club a merited interval lead.
  A new, youthful and vibrant era has been the narrative of United's finest start to a Premier League season but their first outing in this season's Champions League involved seven of the side soundly beaten by Barcelona in the final at Wembley last May. As an exercise in recuperation ahead of Chelsea, it was a policy that paid dividends for the United manager.
  Initially Lindegaard's biggest problem was the assistant referee behind his goal, who insisted the United goalkeeper move a towel further into the corner of his net.
  He was assisted by a diligent United defence, however, with Smalling denying the impressive left-winger Nicolas Gaitán and then Pablo Aimar with last-ditch challenges and wasteful finishing from Gaitán. After that the Dane saved well from his first test of the night, when Oscar Cardozo shot low through a crowded area. The next confrontation between the two produced a resounding victory for the Paraguay centre-forward, however.
  Gaitán instigated the breakthrough with a delightful cross-field ball with the outside of his left foot. Cardozo provided a finish to compare, controlling with his chest, shaping to cut inside Evans with his left foot and then going on the outside before beating Lindegaard with a powerful finish with his right.
  Just as Benfica thought they had the ascendancy, Giggs illustrated why he did not follow Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar into retirement at the end of last season. Antonio Valencia attacked down the right and found the Welshman inside. The Portuguese side's defence backed off with fatal consequence as the veteran strode on and sent an unstoppable left-foot shot into the top corner from 20 yards.
  Giggs almost delivered a second outstanding goal midway through a far more open second half. Collecting a pass from Wayne Rooney, who was less potent than in recent weeks in the lone-striker role, the midfielder ghosted past three defenders inside the area only for Artur to divert the shot wide.
  Fletcher, making his first start since contracting a virus in March, and Valencia, also tested the Benfica goalkeeper as United's threat improved greatly after the interval.
  It was Lindegaard who produced the saves of the night. Benfica continued to take the game to United and a rapid counterattack involving Gaitán and Aimar ended with Nolito striking the ball low towards the far corner and the Dane making a superb stop to his left. He then tipped Gaitán's curling effort from the right over the bar and was reprieved when Nolito shot wide from only six yards in the dying seconds as United claimed, in the circumstances, a welcome point.
  
  

 

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[h=2]Benfica v Manchester United, Champions League Group C, 7.45pm Wednesday 14 September[/h] [h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson hails Wayne Rooney as Britain's answer to Pelé[/h] • 'The boy has great courage and incredible stamina'
• Benfica plan special attention for Manchester United striker

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• Andy Hunter in Lisbon
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 13 September 2011 20.34 BST Article history
  
  
  'Wayne Rooney is the best British player but doesn't seem like a British player,' says the Benfica coach, Jorge Jesus. Photograph: Henry Browne/Action Images
  
  Sir Alex Ferguson eulogised Wayne Rooney as Britain's answer to Pelé as he challenged Manchester United to find the improvement necessary to knock Barcelona off their Champions League perch.
  United launch their latest attempt to land a fourth European crown on Wednesday in Benfica, where Rooney suffered a broken metatarsal at Euro 2004 and returns in arguably the form of his career, with 10 goals in six competitive games so far and his manager praising a new-found maturity in the 25-year-old.
  The threat of Rooney inevitably dominated Jorge Jesus's pre-match press conference, with the Benfica coach conceding United's No10 would shape his plans. "Rooney is the best British player but doesn't seem like a British player," Jesus said. "He's like an Argentinian or Brazilian. He can decide the match in the final third and so we have to pay special attention to him."
  That prompted Ferguson to doubt Jesus, although not Rooney's potential to be remembered among the greats should he maintain, and indeed improve, his current form. "I think he's a typical British player," said the United manager, who left Rio Ferdinand behind as a precaution ahead of Sunday's visit of Chelsea and revealed Nemanja Vidic is a fortnight away from returning from a calf problem.
  "There have been British players over the last few years, maybe for the last decades, who have similar great qualities that make them great players, whether it's a [Paul] Gascoigne, George Best, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law. The similarities are that the boy has great courage, wants to play all the time and has incredible stamina. These are added extras to the talent he has. In terms of a Brazilian, you'd say Pelé. He was a very aggressive attacker also who could look after himself, so can Rooney. They have similarities that way: strength, speed, determination, but he's white, completely white."
  Ferguson believes the England international can surpass his United record of 34 goals, from two seasons ago, following his remarkable opening to this campaign. He added: "I'm sure it's a target for him. If that's the target this season and he gets to that, then I'll be absolutely delighted because with Chicharito's [Javier Hernández] ability to score, we could have two goalscorers above 25."
  Three Champions League finals in four seasons is an impressive record for United, albeit one tinged with the misery of two emphatic defeats by Barcelona. Ryan Giggs, who may start in Lisbon as Ferguson considers the demands of Benfica, Chelsea, Leeds United (in the Carling Cup) and Stoke City in the next 10 days, insists the quality of the reigning champions has not left a lingering fear inside Old Trafford.
  Giggs said: "It's not impossible to beat them. Teams have beaten them and we beat them three years ago when they were not too different back then. What they've got now is more experience and confidence from winning things that they didn't have back then but we've got to overcome that if we come up against them again. We'll be confident we can beat them if we do, we've got to learn from our mistakes and get better. I'm sure we can with the players we have here, a mixture of young players and the hunger to win things and desire to want to win trophies."
  Ferguson was quick to dismiss any Barcelona reunion, rightly adopting the line that only Benfica concentrates his mind at present, but he accepted a fourth title must be the target for United this season. "It's always the challenge for us," he said. "We're coming closer all the time to getting another trophy. The consistency has been very, very good over last few years. That's a good guide to the standard we are in Europe and also the progress we're making. I think the last three years we haven't lost an away game, apart from the finals. Of course we want to improve, that's the drive of every coach and player, to improve. We hope we can improve. The most important thing is to win it – that's the improvement that we really do want."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Fernando Torres falls foul of football's candour police[/h] Supporters are deemed too delicate and foolish to be exposed to what the people they pay to see are thinking

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• • Marina Hyde
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 14 September 2011 23.00 BST Article history
  
  Chelsea's Fernando Torres comments about his team-mates could bring down western civilisation … or something. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
  
  Another week, another high-level probe for football's internal affairs investigators, who had to get to the bottom of comments Fernando Torres may or may not have made in an interview. According to the Chelsea manage, André Villas-Boas, the club were "going in-depth" to request the original tape of an interview the misfiring striker gave to the Spanish league's official website, and which was reproduced on his own official website. Thus they would ascertain whether he said the anodyne thing attributed to him, or something even more anodyne. If it was the even more anodyne thing, top-flight football would once again have cause to reflect how very close we came to the sky falling in.
  Torres's two assists during Chelsea's win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night appear to have drawn a line under the investigation for now. But yet again, the message from the powers that be is clear: we simply cannot live in a world where footballers are allowed to say what they think. I imagine it's one of those things that separates us from the animals. Indeed, we should thank our lucky stars that the game is blessed with operatives – actual grown-ups – who work tirelessly to protect us from the unedited thoughts of athletes, who can utter insanely incendiary phrases like "an older player, who plays very slow, who has a lot of possession", and "that is what the club is trying to change". Entire revolutions have been sparked by less (many pinpoint the tipping point of the Arab spring to have been a Tunisian player's tweet disparaging his club's new away strip). Even now, I hope that these grown-ups are wallpapering the corridors of some of the higher-end training complexes with posters bearing slogans like "Loose lips sink title hopes" and "Careless talk costs between three and six points a season".
  And yet, and yet … to the untrained eye, the answer to the question "who has even more of a confidence problem than Fernando Torres?" would be "the club who appears to genuinely give a toss about something he might have said to a website". In this, of course, Chelsea would be far from alone. A couple of years ago, Darren Bent's Twitter whinge about his stalled transfer resulted in Spurs fining him £80,000, and examples of other clubs attempting to shut down insight into their players' minds have mushroomed with the growth in social media. Candour has become a cardinal sin. Scarcely a week goes by without some club scrambling to remind players that they are a corporate cog first, a player second, and a human being perhaps eighth or ninth.
  No doubt the management would claim this hardline approach is about respect, but – as we have had cause to mention in this space before – "respect" is perhaps the most elastic concept in football. As for the suggestion that clubs are merely protecting other players by coming down hard on internal critics, they tend not to need that protection. If Torres really wants to blame his form on his Zimmer-assisted midfield, I suspect both they and the wider world can live with the poignancy.
  Maybe we would be closer to the truth if we put clubs' ruthless attempts to eliminate candour down to a misplaced terror of players giving the press anything to make hay out of. But without wishing to hasten my industry's demise any further, I'm sure the clubs' time would be better spent worrying about more important things, like the Eurozone debt crisis, or whether they accidentally put a red T-shirt in with a white wash. Not only is the hay made in the traditional way selling in ever smaller quantities, but the perception that such rows are bit of silliness got up by the press has been around for decades.
  Ultimately, though, what really underpins the ban on candour is a contempt for the fans. Supporters are deemed too delicate and foolish to be exposed to what the people they pay to see are really thinking, like those Victorian ladies of cliche who might faint at the sight of anything from a mouse to an ankle. They are deemed too worthless. Julie Burchill once brilliantly described the Daily Mail's editorial line as "someone, somewhere is having fun, and it must be stopped now", and the media management policies of most top clubs these days could be summed up with a variant on those words. Someone, somewhere is giving fans a chink of insight – and it must be stopped now.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Branislav Ivanovic: Manchester United game is Chelsea's first big test[/h] • 'We will have to show 100% of our power' Ivanovic says
• Serbia defender likely to partner John Terry at Old Trafford

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• Dominic Fifield
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 14 September 2011 18.11 BST Article history
  
  
  Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, left, competes for the ball with Bayer Leverkusen's Sidney Sam in the Champions League on Tuesday. Photograph: Tom Hevezi/AP
  
  Branislav Ivanovic has admitted Chelsea will face "the first big test" of the André Villas-Boas era at Old Trafford on Sunday but the Serbia defender is unperturbed by Manchester United's blistering opening to the defence of their title.
  United have scored 11 goals in their two home league games this season, and 18 times in their opening four matches, and have now dropped only two points at home since Chelsea won in Manchester in April 2010 en route to claiming the title under Carlo Ancelotti. Villas-Boas is overseeing a steadier start to the campaign, his team's victories less spectacular but quietly constructed, with the progress the new manager is making likely to be better gauged after Sunday's match.
  "This is the first big, big test of our team and how we've improved, and we're going there trying to show our best football and to secure a good result," said Ivanovic, who is likely to partner John Terry in the centre of defence. "United have started very well this season and have improved as a group. But, if you remember, we started last season the same way. It will be the hardest game for us until now and we will have to show 100% of our power. Psychologically, for both teams, it's a very important game."
  Chelsea had started last term in similarly staggering fashion, winning 6-0 home and away in their first two matches, against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic, before their form petered out towards the end of the year. They went on to lose both legs of their Champions League quarter-final against United in the spring and, having clawed their way back into the title race over the run-in, effectively surrendered the championship with a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in May. Javier Hernández converted in the opening minute that afternoon following a mistake from David Luiz and the visitors never recovered from that dismal opening in a game they had to win.
  "It was a different situation last year because we had to win there, and when you play a big game away from home which you have to win then, psychologically, it's completely different," Ivanovic said. "But we have to take a good message and be more motivated from those games which we lost. We have our aims and our ideas for what we must try to use out on the pitch. Every tackle, every pass – everything – you feel directly how strong your opponent's performance is, and we know they've improved, but let's see what happens."
  The Chelsea side want to make a statement at Old Trafford and remind the other contenders of the deposed champions' qualities. "We will go there to win because it's important for us to show our mission to win back the title," Florent Malouda said, echoing the sentiments expressed by Villas-Boas in the wake of the Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
  Didier Drogba will miss the game as he continues his recovery from the concussion suffered against Norwich City last month, but Frank Lampard and Terry are expected to return to the starting lineup, with Fernando Torres to lead the line.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Branislav Ivanovic: Manchester United game is Chelsea's first big test[/h] • 'We will have to show 100% of our power' Ivanovic says
• Serbia defender likely to partner John Terry at Old Trafford

• • reddit this

• Dominic Fifield
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 14 September 2011 18.11 BST Article history
  
  
  Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, left, competes for the ball with Bayer Leverkusen's Sidney Sam in the Champions League on Tuesday. Photograph: Tom Hevezi/AP
  
  Branislav Ivanovic has admitted Chelsea will face "the first big test" of the André Villas-Boas era at Old Trafford on Sunday but the Serbia defender is unperturbed by Manchester United's blistering opening to the defence of their title.
  United have scored 11 goals in their two home league games this season, and 18 times in their opening four matches, and have now dropped only two points at home since Chelsea won in Manchester in April 2010 en route to claiming the title under Carlo Ancelotti. Villas-Boas is overseeing a steadier start to the campaign, his team's victories less spectacular but quietly constructed, with the progress the new manager is making likely to be better gauged after Sunday's match.
  "This is the first big, big test of our team and how we've improved, and we're going there trying to show our best football and to secure a good result," said Ivanovic, who is likely to partner John Terry in the centre of defence. "United have started very well this season and have improved as a group. But, if you remember, we started last season the same way. It will be the hardest game for us until now and we will have to show 100% of our power. Psychologically, for both teams, it's a very important game."
  Chelsea had started last term in similarly staggering fashion, winning 6-0 home and away in their first two matches, against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic, before their form petered out towards the end of the year. They went on to lose both legs of their Champions League quarter-final against United in the spring and, having clawed their way back into the title race over the run-in, effectively surrendered the championship with a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in May. Javier Hernández converted in the opening minute that afternoon following a mistake from David Luiz and the visitors never recovered from that dismal opening in a game they had to win.
  "It was a different situation last year because we had to win there, and when you play a big game away from home which you have to win then, psychologically, it's completely different," Ivanovic said. "But we have to take a good message and be more motivated from those games which we lost. We have our aims and our ideas for what we must try to use out on the pitch. Every tackle, every pass – everything – you feel directly how strong your opponent's performance is, and we know they've improved, but let's see what happens."
  The Chelsea side want to make a statement at Old Trafford and remind the other contenders of the deposed champions' qualities. "We will go there to win because it's important for us to show our mission to win back the title," Florent Malouda said, echoing the sentiments expressed by Villas-Boas in the wake of the Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
  Didier Drogba will miss the game as he continues his recovery from the concussion suffered against Norwich City last month, but Frank Lampard and Terry are expected to return to the starting lineup, with Fernando Torres to lead the line.
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Exclusive: Brum sent O'Connor to rehab after cocaine ban[/h] Published 16:21 14/09/11 By James Nursey

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...o-rehab-after-cocaine-ban-article799209.html#

Birmingham sent Garry O'Connor to America for rehab after discovering he took cocaine.
Scottish striker O'Connor, 28, was this week revealed to have tested positive at Brum in October 2009.
The forward, signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in June 2007 for £2.6million, was fined by City, who were then in the Premier League.
But Birmingham packed O'Connor off to Arizona for treatment after he was banned by the FA. A BCFC source told Mirrorsport: "In the spirit of the FA's intentions of allowing rehabilitation of those detected to have abused social drugs, we subscribed to that and facilitated our player's rehab in the US.

"He responded very well to the support from the club."
O'Connor never played for City again in the 2009/2010 campaign as Alex McLeish's then side finished ninth.
He later quit on a free this summer after being loan to Championship Barnsley having scored just 12 goals in 61 games for Brum. O'Connor has since rejoined Hibs.
Birmingham City declined to comment.
***
Read more
Football has spent three years fighting drug-test plan
FA defend anti-doping policy after Dispatches revelations
FA deny covering up dozens of positive drug tests
Cocaine bombshell hits football

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[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Exclusive: Brum sent O'Connor to rehab after cocaine ban[/h] Published 16:21 14/09/11 By James Nursey

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...o-rehab-after-cocaine-ban-article799209.html#

Birmingham sent Garry O’Connor to America for rehab after discovering he took cocaine.
Scottish striker O’Connor, 28, was this week revealed to have tested positive at Brum in October 2009.
The forward, signed from Lokomotiv Moscow in June 2007 for £2.6million, was fined by City, who were then in the Premier League.
But Birmingham packed O’Connor off to Arizona for treatment after he was banned by the FA. A BCFC source told Mirrorsport: “In the spirit of the FA’s intentions of allowing rehabilitation of those detected to have abused social drugs, we subscribed to that and facilitated our player’s rehab in the US.

“He responded very well to the support from the club.”
O’Connor never played for City again in the 2009/2010 campaign as Alex McLeish’s then side finished ninth.
He later quit on a free this summer after being loan to Championship Barnsley having scored just 12 goals in 61 games for Brum. O’Connor has since rejoined Hibs.
Birmingham City declined to comment.
***
Read more
Football has spent three years fighting drug-test plan
FA defend anti-doping policy after Dispatches revelations
FA deny covering up dozens of positive drug tests
Cocaine bombshell hits football

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Cristiano Ronaldo and the Top 20 'good-looking and rich' footballers PICTURE SPECIAL[/h]

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 13:07 15/09/11

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opi...iko-Kranjcar-Deigo-Forlan-article799550.html#

[h=3]18: Fernando Torres[/h]


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[Rutashubanyuma]

Redknapp admits: You don't turn down the England job

Published 21:00 14/09/11 By Neil McLeman

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Harry Redknapp reckons the England job is a cross between a poisoned chalice and mission impossible.
But the Tottenham manager has also admitted that, despite that, he would not be able to turn down the chance to become Fabio Capello's successor next year.
Redknapp's latest taste of European football sees his Spurs side start the group stages of the Europa League with an XI containing only one man who also began their Premier League match at Wolves last weekend.
That player is full-back Kyle Walker, who has made the journey to the northern Greek town of Thessaloniki to face PAOK along with a group of fringe players and youngsters.

The Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday is clearly the north London club's priority.
Redknapp is the bookies' favourite to succeed Fabio after leading Tottenham into the Champions League last season and then beating AC Milan in the San Siro.
But, before Thursday's clash in the somewhat smaller Toumba Stadium, Redknapp admitted the England post will be even harder if Capello goes out on a high.
"It is a poisoned chalice," said the 64-year-old. "Good luck to whoever takes over if they win Euro 2012, because it would be like following Sir Alex Ferguson [at Manchester United], wouldn't it?
"But it would be difficult for any Englishman to turn the job down. I'm not pushing myself for the job - whoever gets offered the job, if they're an Englishman, it would be hard to say ‘no' because it's your country.
"But it's not a problem. I haven't heard anything from anybody so I'll just get on with my job and see what happens. You never know what happens in this game, do you? You never know what's just around the corner."
With Liverpool on Sunday and then a meeting with Stoke in the Carling Cup 48 hours later, Redknapp - who left Brad Friedel and Rafael van der Vaart off his Europa League squad list altogether - has opted to rest most of his best players for this one.
The team to face PAOK will be even weaker than the side held 0-0 at home by Hearts in the qualifying round.
"It has not been a case of prioritising for this game - it is just what I have got

," Redknapp claimed.
"I can't take a chance of getting three or four injuries for Sunday because I haven't got any replacements.
"I have got no back-up because there are nine of my senior players injured.
"We want to do well and try to qualify, and hopefully by the time we get to the next game I'll have a few players back and I can field stronger teams.
"I am not just going to toss the competition out of the window by fielding kids in every round. We are looking to have a good run in it."
PAOK's notorious fans create such a din that their 28,703-capacity stadium is dubbed Black Hell.
They have lost only one of their last nine European homes games and Redknapp admitted they will be favourites on the night.
"It will be a great experience for the young players - I hope they enjoy it," he added. "They all know it is going to be an intimidating, tough game but I will learn a lot about the young players when I see them."
PAOK chairman Theo Zagorakis played for Leicester against Spurs in the 1999 League Cup final. He has since led a resurgence at the club, who finished third in the Greek league last season.
Tottenham's only previous meeting with Greek opponents was against Olympiacos in the UEFA Cup in 1972-73.
"I have never been here before," Redknapp revealed. "It's a lovely country but I've never been, not even on holiday. We used to go to Canvey Island every year."
PROBABLE TEAMS PAOK: Kresic; Lino, Malezas, Contreras, Etto; Arias, Garcia; Vierinha, Ivic, Fotakis; Salpingidis. Tottenham: Gomes; Walker, Bassong,​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Cristiano Ronaldo: people boo me 'because I am rich and handsome'[/h] • Real forward says critics are jealous of his success
• 'I am a great player... people are envious of me'

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• Reuters
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 15 September 2011 11.06 BST Article history
  
  
  Cristiano Ronaldo says fans who abuse him are jealous of his success. Photograph: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images
  
  The Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he regularly has a hostile reception from opposition fans because he is "rich, handsome and a great player".
  Ronaldo, speaking after Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win at Dinamo Zagreb, during which he was roundly booed and whistled, said he was also angry over a lack of protection from referees. During the Group D opener in Croatia he was the target of some robust challenges, one of which drew blood on his right ankle.
  "We are very happy with three points we took, but I'm not so satisfied with the refereeing," he told reporters. "I hope we never have this referee again. People talk of fair-play, of protecting good players, but I never get any of that. I don't understand a thing.
  "I'm sad because I hear referees saying they will protect skilful players, but while some are untouchable it seems I can be mauled."
  Ronaldo was asked about the behaviour of the Dinamo fans, who gave him the kind of welcome he attracts every week in La Liga.
  "I think that because I am rich, handsome and a great player people are envious of me. I don't have any other explanation."
  The Argentinian winger Angel Di María scored for José Mourinho's side in the 53rd minute as Real began their quest for a 10th title in Europe's elite club competition.
  
  

 

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[h=1]Mata: Torres convinced me to join Chelsea[/h] Published 14:47 15/09/11 By Martin Lipton

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...vinced-me-to-join-Chelsea-article799822.html#

Juan Mata revealed today that Fernando Torres sealed the deal to make him come to Chelsea.
The £50million British record signing got into hot water with Andre Villas Boas for criticising the "older players, who play very slow" and suggesting the arrival of former Valencia schemer Mata would make a major difference and end his goal drought.
Instead, it was Torres who set up Mata for the killer second goal against Bayer Leverkusen as Chelsea became the only English side to win their opening Champions League game.
But today, as he was officially unveiled as Chelsea's keynote summer signing, Mata said that Torres had convinced him to leave the Mestalla to prove himself at Stamford Bridge under Andre Villas-Boas.

Mata said: "Fernando was an important factor in my decision to come here.
"I spoke to him and he encouraged me to come. He said it would be excellent for me to come to a bigger team, with excellent players, an excellent manager and qualities overall.
"Fernando had a great game against Leverkusen with the two assists for us. He was excellent in attack as well and is contributing a great deal to Chelsea as their striker."
Mata had seemed set for a move to a different part of the capital before Arsenal pulled the plug on a proposed £18million deal, eventually signing for the Blues for around £23m.
He added: "In the end Chelsea made a formal offer for me. For me that was very important.
"I want to make the most of this opportunity and grow. This is something that's very important for me. They are one of the great sides in Europe and I wanted to come here. That is why I'm here.
"The manager and I spoke with each other during the negotiation process and that filled me with confidence in his ideas.
"We've talked about the different styles that could be used. He's in favour of an offensive and dynamic style of football and showed that at Porto where won so many trophies last season.
"I feel that, little by little, we are improving. We're gaining confidence and adapting to the manager's idea of how we should be playing as a strong, fast, dynamic team. We showed that against Leverkusen. The team is made up of a lot of talented attacking players."
Mata has started so far on the left of the attacking trident but suggested he believes there are more strings to his bow than just that role.
"I like to play between the lines," he said. I have no preference on playing left or right and I can play both sides.
"I'm not a pure winger, I like being an offensive midfielder as well to create problems for opponents. I can play different positions and in between the lines, in the middle.
"But my job is to do the best I can to help the team. There are a lot of talented players here - not just Fernando Torres but 20 more. I'm one more player willing to give as much as I can when the coach puts me on the field."
*
MATA VOWS TO LEARN FROM STAMPING EPISODE
As well as experiencing the benefits of playing in English football, it has not taken Chelsea new boy Juan Mata long to discover its drawbacks.
Sunderland's Phil Bardsley was yesterday banned for four matches for stamping on the 23-year-old during a game last weekend.
"The way fouls are called here may be different to in the Spanish league but all of this is helping me to learn and to prepare myself as a footballer in the long term," Mata said.
And it is not just improving as a footballer that interests Mata, who is also studying for two university degrees, one in sports science and the other in physical education and marketing.
"I just try to do things that normal people my age do," said Mata, who will continue his education from a distance.
He added through a translator: "I'm very much enjoying my life in London right now. It's an incredible place.
"I am going to English classes and I think all of this represents a wonderful opportunity to grow as a person and experience a new culture."
But it is trophies which ultimately drive Mata, who helped Spain win the World Cup and European Under-21 Championship and looks certain to be part of their Euro 2012 squad.
Chelsea are also expected to challenge for the Barclays Premier League and Champions League, although their thunder has been stolen so far this season by Manchester United and Manchester City.
"Obviously they have had a strong start," said Mata, ahead of Chelsea's crunch clash at Old Trafford on Sunday. "But I think that we're closing that gap.
"We're only two points away, which I think is a distance that we can recover quite easily.
"We've shown that we can win with our Champions League win recently. Everything's to play for."

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=2]Manchester United v Chelsea, Sunday, 4pm[/h] [h=1]André Villas-Boas prepares for generation game with Sir Alex Ferguson[/h] The Chelsea manager's tactical battle with his Manchester United counterpart will come under scrutiny on Sunday

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• • Dominic Fifield
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 16 September 2011 23.02 BST
  
  André Villas-Boas looks ahead to Chelsea's trip to Manchester United on Sunday. Link to this video It will be billed as the first brush between the Premier League's elder statesman and the young pretender, the flashbulbs popping frenziedly as the odd couple share a pre-match handshake at Old Trafford, yet the awkward formal introductions have already taken place in far less auspicious surroundings. Somewhere in the bowels of Uefa's headquarters this month, Sir Alex Ferguson emerged from the gents just as André Villas-Boas was trundling in. The initial meeting of minds took place right there.
  The Portuguese was making his first appearance at the Elite Club Coaches' forum in Nyon, the small-talk taking him from Pep Guardiola to Massimiliano Allegri, Arsène Wenger to Didier Deschamps. "Sir Alex was coming out of the loo and I was just there," recalled Villas-Boas. "We said hello and spoke about something … Stoke, funnily enough. Stoke were one of the main discussion points of the elite clubs' meeting."
  The desire to introduce offside at throw-ins will feel less relevant on Sunday, but it did at least help to break the ice. Ferguson, 69, has seen 13 other full-time Chelsea managers come and go over the quarter of a century he has overseen matters at Manchester United, though the incumbent is still an intriguing opponent.
  Even a manager with Ferguson's energy might feel his age when he casts his eye to the rival technical area to see Villas-Boas, at 33 and with his trademark blur of squats, lunges and tuck jumps, conducting his players from the touchline. The 12-time Premier League and twice European Cup-winning manager considers it imperative that his successor has Champions League experience and hinted at a certain incredulousness on Friday, that one so young might find himself charged with steering a club of Chelsea's stature.
  "It will be an incredible achievement," he said when asked what it would mean should Villas-Boas win the title this term. "That somebody so young could go and do that would be incredible. You can't dispute that." Ferguson may have started his own managerial career at 32 but he had taken over at East Stirling, a job that paid £40 per week and would occupy the novice for 117 days. The team did not have a goalkeeper at the time. The only thing Chelsea currently lack is a European Cup.
  "It was only a part-time team, and the players were on about £5 a week," said Ferguson. "The one common denominator is that you want to be successful. I set about it in determined fashion that I wasn't going to fail. I'd chosen that life. I'd been an engineer and I made up my mind that I wasn't going to go back to engineering. I did all my coaching badges when I was young – 23 – so I'd prepared to be a manager. It's important, if you want to be in the game, that you prepare to do that. You have to show anybody who interviews you for a job that you're ready. André Villas-Boas took his Uefa badges at Largs in Scotland. When I went there it was full of fantastic coaches. It gave you an insight into how they coached. They give you a good grounding."
  Villas-Boas has not looked back since, his brief managerial career having yielded a glut of trophies, though he will still be pinching himself at the confrontation to come. Ferguson claimed his first, the Scottish First Division title, with St Mirren, five months before the Portuguese was born. The Scot's appointment at Old Trafford in 1986 completely passed by Villas-Boas, hardly a surprise given he had only just turned nine at the time and was too "in love with my Porto" to be aware of the ins and outs in the distant old First Division. Indeed, the first Premier League side to prick his interest were not Ferguson's resurgent United, but Kenny Dalglish's money-flushed Blackburn Rovers. "But, even so, I could never have imagined [managing] against a man like this," he said.
  Did the younger man consider himself an 'equal' of Sir Alex at the meeting at Uefa? "No. As a manager his CV speaks for itself. You just have to praise someone who wins that much in the game. I've lost count of the amount of titles he's won. Bearing in mind most of those titles are as difficult as Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues and FA Cups, it's out of this world. You have to pay respect to a person who has achieved so much, and I'm grateful and honoured to play against him. But when you see Ferguson, [José] Mourinho and Guardiola, it's incredible the amount of times these people win, the amount of passion they have and how driven they are to be successful. It's impressive. It's pretty good to be able to live with these examples at this moment." Might he be considered among their company in a decade? "Hopefully. Hopefully."
  Certainly the younger man is anything but daunted to be charged with defeating such icons of the modern game. It is 17 months since Villas-Boas lost a league game, when Benfica visited his Academica de Coimbra team and triumphed 3-2, and he will take his Chelsea side to Old Trafford privately confident that the tactics he asks his players to adopt can outwit even the senior figure. Thereafter, it will be down to his players. "This cannot be reduced just to two managers taking each other on," said the Portuguese. Given the intrigue around this first on-field meeting, that feels rather like wishful thinking.