Transfer news...

[h=1]Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Sir Alex Ferguson has been warned it will take a bid of £50m to lure his top midfield target Mario Goetze away from Borussia Dortmund, but the Manchester United manager could make a £15m bid for team-mate Mats Hummels.
Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool have sent scouts to assess the talents of Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone as they look to find a January replacement for long term injury victim Lucas Leiva.
Full story: Footy bunker
Newcastle want to sign Crystal Palace's £10m-rated teenage sensation Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mail
But the Magpies have dramatically scrapped a £6m deal to buy Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill says he plans to contact Asamoah Gyan next week. The Black Cats loaned the Ghana striker to Al-Ain in a deal worth around £6m.
Full story: The Sun
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed he wants to return to Argentina to play for his former club Independiente when he is 29.
Full story: Olé (in Spanish)
Seville are interested in Tottenham outcast Giovani dos Santos who, according to the Mexico international's agent, is very unhappy at White Hart Lane.
Full story: Footy Latest
Schalke 04 are desperate to hold on to their star striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar but face an uphill struggle in the face of interest from Manchester United.
Full story: Footy Latest

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott says Chelsea's exuberant celebrations after beating the Premier League leaders on Monday were a compliment.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart admits that he thinks Harry Redknapp is the right man to become the next England manager but hopes he stays at White Hart Lane.
Full story: Guardian
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Paul Pogba not to let greed wreck his Manchester United career. The Red Devils are trying to agree a new contract with the 18-year-old Frenchman.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
The credibility of Fifa's reform program has suffered a fresh blow after a leading supporters group declined an invitation to join Sepp Blatter's committee charged with cleaning up the world governing body.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
Steve Kean has two games to save his job as Blackburn manager.
Full story: Daily Mail
Napoli star Marek Hamsik says the Serie A side do not fear Chelsea - and are grateful they avoided Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16.
Full story: talkSPORT
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hits out at critics of the Europa League, claiming "it's a fantastic competition".
Full story: talkSPORT
Martin Jol believes Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale is as good as England number one Joe Hart.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been embroiled in a Twitter row with former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester City team-mates Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards have squared up again - after they posed for a picture of them play-fighting in the dressing room at their training ground.
Full story: Daily Mail
 



[h=2]Manchester City v Arsenal, 4.10pm Sunday 18 December[/h] [h=1]Arsenal's chance for redemption as they return to Manchester[/h] • Arsenal back in the city for the first time since 8-2 thrashing
• Wenger believes Arsenal will be in the title race if they win




Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal will be back in the title race if they beat Manchester City. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar

Arsène Wenger believes Sunday's return to Manchester gives Arsenal the perfect chance to exorcise the humiliation they suffered the last time they played in the city, and prove they are back in the title race.
Arsenal were thrashed 8-2 by Manchester United at Old Trafford in August, a defeat that sent them to 17th in the Premier League with the prospects of qualifying for the Champions League appearing difficult and their ability to mount a championship challenge remote.
Yet Arsenal are now in fifth position and back in contention for a berth in the top four after a run of five wins in their last six league outings. They are conscious that if City are beaten at the Etihad Stadium it would cut their opponents advantage to six points.
Asked if the return to Manchester would provide an opportunity to overcome a psychological barrier Wenger said: "I believe you never forget that but you put it behind you. I never give too much importance to big scores because they are always under special circumstances. We conceded four in the last 20 minutes [actually three] when we were down to 10 men. We were still chasing to come back and every ball they hit went in the top corner. But it's part of football, and it's something we don't want, but I don't think that will even cross our mind."
Wenger added that a loss like that could aid his side's long-term development. "If you have a strong mental response from your players, if they are mentally strong, it can help," he said. "It took us a while to get over it, let's not fool ourselves, because we won one-nil with a lucky goal against Swansea [the following weekend] and we came back slowly. But there is something in the team that shows that we have the resilience."
Wenger was clear that if City are beaten then Arsenal should be considered serious challengers for the Premier League. He said: "We are on our way to recovery, but we have a big big test on Sunday and let's see how we survive that test. We are not yet in the title race. We have to come closer to Man City to be really in it, we are in a race for the Champions League places at the moment. And the purpose is to get closer and we have a good opportunity to do it."
In recent seasons Arsenal have lost Samir Nasri, Gaël Clichy and Kolo Touré to City as their billionaire Abu Dhabi owners have built a squad capable of being serious contenders for the Premier League. Wenger's ethos is to ensure Arsenal do not spend beyond the club's means, and while he would not be drawn if long-term success over City would bring personal satisfaction he did question whether Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules would actually be implemented.
He said: "I would get personal professional satisfaction to win the game. All these considerations of how much money they have and we have do not really come into the game, into your way of thinking for a game like that. You just want to do as well as you can. The question is will there be a financial fair play or not. It looks logical to have one but will it come in? I don't know. [Michel] Platini [the Uefa president] made it one of his priorities, so let's see if he's doing it."

Wenger also hailed the maturity of Robin van Persie, his captain who has scored 33 league goals in 2011. "For me Robin is a great leader, when he came to this club you would not have predicted that, that's credit to him. Seven or eight years ago, after Southampton for example [in 2005 when he was sent off for a challenge on Graeme Le Saux] you would not predict that this guy would become captain of Arsenal. He has been outstanding as a human being, not only as a player.

"We are a team that is mature in their behaviour because the age is higher. The players we brought in [the summer] like Mikel Arteta, Per Mertsacker, Yossi Benayoun, Park Chu-Young, Andre Santos - they are all between 25 and 30, they are men."




 
[h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson's praise of Spurs may be a dig at Manchester City[/h] The Manchester United manager may have ulterior motives in his admiration of others




In a possible dig at Manchester City, Sir Alex Ferguson said he thought that Spurs have been playing the best football so far this season. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson believes there are five teams in the title race, and reckons Tottenham Hotspur have been playing the best football of the past couple of months, although the Manchester United manager is convinced two or three sides will have fallen away by the closing weeks of the season.
"At the moment there are still five who can win it, which is a fantastic boast to be able to make, but although you would like to think that might still be the case going into the last week of the season experience suggests it won't happen," he said. "It never does seem to happen like that. It is always two teams fighting it out at the death."
Who that may be is hard to predict at this stage, with Manchester City top but inexperienced, Chelsea experienced but a way behind, Manchester United and Arsenal looking ready to go the distance and Spurs, with a game in hand, by no means out of the picture. Ferguson is so keen to make it known he likes the look of Harry Redknapp's team that it is tempting to speculate on his motivation. Is the United manager seeking to undermine City, by claiming Spurs have been playing the best football, or is he laying the foundations for a late United bid for Luka Modric or Gareth Bale? Is this his way of sending out Christmas cheer towards his old pal Redknapp, or is he playing the old managerial trick of praising rivals so they start to believe their own publicity?
"Spurs were unlucky at Stoke the other day, but they are still in with a shout," Ferguson said. "I have been very impressed with the football they have played over the last eight games or so, and they are definitely strong enough to mount a challenge. Going out of the Europa League will help them too.
"You always expect the usual four teams to be in the hunt: ourselves, City, Arsenal and Chelsea; but to my mind Spurs have been the best team to watch recently. Chelsea will be lifted by their result against City on Monday, they did the league a good turn there and brought a bit more balance to the picture at the top. Arsenal could do the same thing and do themselves a favour this weekend.
"It's a big game at City and it could change the situation again, but we've all got big games to play between now and the end of the season. I don't doubt that everyone will drop points to each other, but the key thing at this stage is to try to be near the top at the turn of the year. You don't want to leave yourselves with too much ground to make up."
Ferguson is right about one thing. Going out of the Europa League will do Spurs no harm at all. Maybe City and United would secretly like to exit the unloved competition almost as quickly, although with the glamour ties they have been handed, against Porto and Ajax respectively, it is not easy to envisage that happening. Approaching the packed festive programme and the halfway point of the season, however, such considerations can be left until European football starts up again in February.
The question for now, as the Manchester Scot says almost every season, is what the league table will look like in early January, after five games in quick succession have tilted it towards the end rather than the beginning and left every club with a clearer idea of what must be done in the matches that remain. If City are still on top after playing Arsenal, Stoke and Liverpool they will have done well, although all three of those fixtures are at home. United should be able to keep in touch with a relatively undemanding run of games against QPR, Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn, although anything less than a near maximum harvest of points over the holiday period would not only allow City the chance to increase their lead but see the Old Trafford recovery scuppered by Ferguson's own logic. Arsenal's title credentials are up for examination at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Spurs' and Chelsea's turn comes on Thursday at White Hart Lane, a festive cracker that seems certain to leave either Redknapp or André Villas-Boas looking glumly at the empty end as the other dons the party crown.
Villas-Boas and his relationship with the Chelsea players is turning into everyone's favourite Christmas story, although not every tale relates to the top end of the table. Down at the bottom, this could be the season when the Premier League loses all three of its small but tenacious Lancashire clubs. Looked at another way, this could be a season when all three promoted clubs stay up. QPR were most people's prediction for a season-long struggle followed by relegation, although in a similar manner to Arsenal they managed to reinvent themselves in the last couple of weeks of the transfer window and now look remarkably buoyant, certainly in better shape than Wolves, West Brom and the teams below them. That could change in the next couple of weeks, but that is the essence of frantic, festive football. Everything could.





 
[h=1]Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has made 19-year-old Brazilian striker Neymar his number one transfer target.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Mesut Ozil's situation at Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho warned the Germany midfielder he will be sold in the summer if his performances do not improve.
Full story: the People
Dijon midfielder Benjamin Corgnet has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
Full story: Metro
Liverpool are monitoring PSV Eindhoven pair Kevin Strootman and Georginio Wijnaldum ahead of a potential £22m bid to sign the duo.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com
Napoli have beaten Chelsea to the signature of Chilean forward Eduardo Vargas, who could face the Blues in the Champions League.
Full story: insidefutbol.com
Newcastle and Sunderland are both interested in Aston Villa's £5m-rated defender James Collins.
Full story: the People

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City right-back Micah Richards insists Manchester United are still "firm favourites" for the Premier League title.
Full story: Mail on Sunday
David Beckham has received a letter from the Football Association confirming he is one of a select group of players being asked about their availability and willingness to play for Great Britain in next summer's Olympics on his home soil.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

AND FINALLY
Wayne Rooney saw the funny side when Manchester United's young players poked fun at his hair transplant during the annual club pantomime. A youth team player took to the stage in a number ten shirt, a Shrek mask and a curly black wig to give a mock interview about how the transplant had changed his life.
Full story: Metro
 
[h=1]Brazilian star top of AVB's wishlist[/h] Published 22:58 17/12/11 By Bill Mills

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Chelsea-target-Santos-star-Neymar-article844212.html#


Andre Villas-Boas has put Brazil wonderboy Neymar at the top of his Christmas wish list.
The Chelsea manager has been asked by owner Roman Abramovich to oversee a major overhaul of the Stamford Bridge playing resources.
The 19-year-old striker will not come cheaply, but he is the star name that the Blues want to recruit as they prepare for a new golden era.
Neymar is due to play for his club Santos in today's World Club Championship final against Barcelona in Japan.He scored nine goals in just 15 *appearances for Brazil and is one of the hottest properties in world football.

Sources in Brazil claim the youngster will only be sold if one of the pursuing clubs shells out around £45million. An excessive amount for a teenager, but there's no doubting his ability.
Villas-Boas, whose side defeated Premier League leaders *Manchester City on Monday, *believes he needs five players to propel his side to the titles that the club's Russian owner demands of domestic and European domination. He is also keen to reduce the average age of his squad. Chelsea are still favourites to clinch the recruitment of midfielder Cheick Tiote from Newcastle.
The tough-tackling Ivory Coast star is also being tracked by Manchester United and Liverpool.
Villas-Boas is also *reviewing his club's *defensive manpower.
He has set his sights on Aly *Cissokho, Lyon's 24-year-old left-back, who was capped for France last year. And he wants highly rated Montpellier centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. The 22-year-old defender is also being monitored by Tottenham and Newcastle.
The Blues' hierarchy are sensitive to any suggestions that there will be a *revolution to topple current star *players at a stroke.
But Villas-Boas has drawn up his blueprint of an exciting way forward and has an owner who can fund the masterplan.
The challenge will be to prise his targets away from their clubs.
 
[h=1]Liverpool join chase for Toon star[/h] Published 23:01 17/12/11 By Brian McNally

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...wcastle-star-Cheick-Tiote-article844200.html#


Liverpool have joined the chase for Newcastle's £25million-rated *midfielder Cheick Tiote.
Kenny Dalglish sent a scouting mission to St James' Park yesterday as the Ivorian, 25, played his first game since October 22, against *Swansea.
Chelsea are favourites to land him, but Liverpool have now entered a chase that also includes *Manchester United.
 
[h=1]Richards: City can stop RVP goal glut[/h] Published 22:57 17/12/11 By Derick Allsop

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...-glut-says-Micah-Richards-article844010.html#


Micah Richards is billing it as the meeting of the best two players in the Premier League - David Silva versus Robin van Persie.
But Manchester City and England right-back Richards contends his side have the means to "sort out" Arsenal's goal-machine Van Persie and reassert themselves as Premier League *pace-setters at the Etihad today.
Silva's creative brilliance has been as crucial to the City cause as Van *Persie's finishing has been to Arsenal's revival and Richards acknowledges the pair are leading the race for *individual honours this season.
Richards, who joined his team-mates on a visit to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital this past week, said: "Van Persie and Silva are *probably the best two players in the Premier League on form. If both keep up this form, I think one of them will be player of the year.

"You don't know what's around the corner and one of them could get an injury, but they are the two stand-out candidates.
"Silva is awesome. When we first bought him, people didn't know quite what he could do, but now he's shown that he's a world-class *player.
"Not many people so small can play so well in the Premier League, but he's got everything. He makes us tick." City will look to the Spaniard to *inspire their response after a first League *defeat of the season at *Chelsea, while Arsenal are hoping their Dutch *captain can add to a tally of 33 goals in the calendar year.
Richards, fit to return following *injury, said: "Van Persie is an amazing talent. When he signed for Arsenal, you could tell he was going to be a massive player for them and he's *continued improving.
"But Vincent Kompany has been outstanding and Joleon Lescott has probably been our best defender. I'm sure these two, between them, will be able to sort him out - hopefully!
"We have got a lot of games against top teams coming up, so it's going to be hard, but this is the test for us now to show what we can do. Man United are still, in my opinion, the favourites. They've been there, done it, *although Nemanja Vidic being out injured for so long is going to be a *massive loss.
"The Uniteds, Chelseas, Arsenals, Liverpools have been doing it for so long. I think Arsenal are genuine title contenders as long as they keep *everyone fit, especially Van Persie. Spurs are looking good. With players like (Aaron) Lennon, (Gareth) Bale, (Emmanuel) Adebayor and (Luka) Modric - it's scary. But we can *definitely take the *pressure.
"After losing at Chelsea, people are thinking what the effect will be. But that's part of football and we've got an amazing game to come back to."
Richards believes he can make *England's European Championship squad - if Fabio Capello gives him the chance. He said: "People are saying I'm upset, but it's not about that. It's about working hard, trying to keep the form I'm showing. Kyle Walker is a fantastic talent and he's getting a chance and Glen Johnson is the *current right-back, players with Spurs and Liverpool, both top teams. So it's just about getting a chance.
"The manager must think something of me. I played against France for 45 minutes and thought I did all right, but I just want more. I don't want to rule myself out, but I don't want to say I should be in there.
"I just have to keep doing well and try to achieve something with City."
Richards credits the resurgence in his form to the guidance of his club manager, Roberto Mancini.
"He's been outstanding for me," *Richards said. "He's given me the *confidence I needed. I've played a lot better under Mancini, since he's given me the freedom to get forward more. I think you can hear him shouting, ‘Micah, go!' every five minutes.
"I seem to be playing my best when I'm going forward.
"I feel I'm playing well, but it's a lot easier when you are playing with better players, people like David Silva."
***
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH) is the largest children's hospital in the UK and treats 185,000 children each year from across the North West and beyond.
 
[h=1]Tevez mocks City at Champions League exit (with video)[/h] Published 23:00 17/12/11 By SImon Mullock

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...o-Mancini-s-side-on-video-article844191.html#


Carlos Tevez has taunted Manchester City over their *Champions League exit.
The £200,000-a-week striker cracked up with laughter as a musician pal joked about the *Premier League leader's Euro *failure after inviting him on stage to sing.
The controversial striker laughed loudest as the pot-bellied crooner abused City by ranting, "Que se caguen!" In English, that translates as "F*** them". Footage of Tevez and his friend, Juan Carlos Jimenez Rufino, was later loaded on to Youtube.
The incident came as the player, who insists he has no intention of returning to *England, holidayed with friends and family in Cordoba, 400 miles north west of Argentine capital *Buenos Aires.

Tevez, whose relationship with City fans nosedived *after his touchline row with manager Roberto *Mancini at Bayern Munich in September, slammed *Manchester earlier in the year on Argentine TV.
Tevez has no future with City. AC Milan believe they will land him in January, but their opening offer of a loan deal will not be accepted.
Juventus and Paris St *Germain will offer £22million permanent deals.
 
[h=1]Becks refuses to rule out new LA Galaxy deal[/h] Published 22:58 17/12/11 By Tom Hopkinson

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...n-for-Paris-Saint-Germain-article844226.html#


The full version of this story appears in today's People.
David Beckham is refusing to rule out a new deal at LA Galaxy.
The former England skipper is widely expected to sign for Paris St Germain in January and the Ligue 1 side remain the front-runner for his signature.
But People Sport understands Beckham's advisers are still locked in negotiations with both parties, with the Galaxy keen to extend his five-year stay in Southern California – and growing ever more hopeful he can be persuaded to re-sign.
 
[h=1]Walker vows to stay with Spurs after interest from Europe elite[/h] Published 22:57 17/12/11 By Paul Smith

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...rom-AC-Milan-and-Juventus-article844210.html#


Kyle Walker has no interest in leaving Tottenham – despite speculation linking him with a host of Europe's top clubs.
The young England defender has attracted the attention of Real Madrid and several Italian clubs, including AC Milan and Juventus.
But Walker, who signed a *contract extension last July – committing him to Tottenham until 2016 – has no interest in leaving White Hart Lane.
He said: "It's flattering to be linked with some big clubs, but, as far as I'm concerned, I'm playing for a very big club and I can fulfil all my dreams at Spurs.

"Why would I even consider *leaving? It's not even open to *debate. I owe a debt of *gratitude to the club and the manager, Harry Redknapp, and I couldn't be happier and more grateful.
"Besides, I am not going to get carried away and I have a good group of people, *including my agent, family and friends, who ensure I keep my feet firmly on the ground."
While Walker's meteoric rise has not gone unnoticed, he still feels he is learning his trade and wants to continue his development at Tottenham.
"I will never allow myself to get carried away. I am still learning the game and I'm a dedicated *student on and off the pitch. I think you only get out of life what you put in, which is why I stay behind after training and watch every DVD of my games and look to improve every *aspect of my game.
"I am extremely fortunate to have players like Michael *Dawson and Ledley King at Tottenham, who inspire me to do better.
"I also think it's an enormous advantage for me to play in a team that has a very offensive mentality, as I like to get forward when I can.
"But, first and foremost, it's my defensive responsibilities that are most important. At this level, there is no room for *complacency.
"You are up against world-class strikers and they will clinically punish the slightest mistake you make.
"The only advantage I have is that I started out life as striker, so sometimes that gives me a slight advantage because it enables me to second guess what they might be trying to do."
Walker, who scored the winner in the North London derby, also accepts that *establishing yourself at a big club isn't easy.
He said: "There have been a lot of *younger *players that have failed to establish themselves at Tottenham. It's a big club and they have an abundance of talent and world-class players.
"It's hard to get your chance and you have to work at it *constantly. It's harder for the youngsters, but the great thing about the *manager is his will to give you a chance if he thinks you are good enough.
"But you're always looking over your shoulder because, if you mess up, there is someone else ready to take your place."
Spurs take on Sunderland today and Walker is in no doubt they can still challenge for major *honours, despite a minor setback at Stoke last Sunday.
"We have a great squad and an exceptional manager," he said. "I see no reason why we shouldn't expect to achieve great things.
"We have as good a team as any in the Premier League, so why shouldn't we be optimistic?
"We have a winning mentality and a manager determined to bring success. Finishing in the top four and competing for the title isn't beyond us."
 



[h=2]QPR 0-2 Manchester United[/h] [h=1]Phil Jones supplies solution to Manchester United's midfield dilemma[/h] The teenager's displays have filled the gap created by a host of injuries and evoked comparisons with a former United great




Only three players have played more games for Manchester United this season than Phil Jones. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

It is little wonder the topic that keeps rearing its head among Manchester United's supporters this season is why their club did not invest in a creative central midfielder last summer. All those tantalising Wesley Sneijder stories only whetted the appetite once Paul Scholes pulled off that No18 shirt for the last time.
At the start of the season the sense of urgency about a replacement was less intense as United began defending their title so convincingly. But gradually the options in the middle of the park have dwindled – Anderson injured, Tom Cleverley injured, Darren Fletcher ill. Ryan Giggs, evergreen as he is, can hardly be expected to play every high-intensity match at the age of 38.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been forced to juggle much more than he would wish for in such a key area and the lack of stability has been an irritant. So it was that United lined up against Queens Park Rangers with Phil Jones and Michael Carrick in tandem. On the surface it was not the most imaginative central pairing they have ever fielded. But before long there were signs that something interesting was stirring. A few minutes into the match a tweet from Phil Neville crackled across the ether: "Phil jones reminds me of a young Roy keane."
Wayne Rooney may have given United the lead with the kind of ruthless and focused energy he is able to harness when at his best but it was hard to take your eyes off this huge 19-year-old who continually strode across the pitch at Loftus Road brimming with intent. When Jones begins motoring he is quite a force and his surging runs are a trademark that proves very useful indeed to United.
"His energy's really important to the team at the moment," Ferguson said. "He's got tremendous potential and he's got great energy, which you saw here. He was up and down the pitch, making fantastic runs through the middle. He could've scored two or three himself."
If it was a surprise Jones did not add to recent run of goals (he was unfortunate with one effort which ricocheted off the far post) the bigger surprise was that the man alongside him did score. Although Carrick has spent a lot of this season on the periphery, he has always been valued by Ferguson.
He repaid that faith with a solo goal to seal the points. It was as if he suddenly felt compelled to do his best Phil Jones impression, as he set off on a powerful run through the heart of what passed for a Rangers resistance, then picked his spot. His joy was evident. It was his first league goal for almost two years.
It will be interesting to see what Ferguson does with Jones when he has a greater complement of central midfielders to choose from, when players such as Anderson and Cleverley return. Will he be withdrawn to centre‑half? Will he be utilised even more at right-back? Or is he making enough of an impression to suggest Neville may be on to something and the rest will be competing to play alongside him at the team's heart?
United's numerous injuries this season have propelled Jones into becoming a mainstay perhaps a little earlier than he could have imagined when he signed from Blackburn Rovers (only Rooney, Nani and Patrice Evra have played more league games). It has also given him the opportunity to audition in various positions. That is the intriguing challenge for him as well as for his manager, to pin down a regular position. Few of the most important players relish being a utility player.
In addition to his pure playing qualities Jones also plays with personality. His emotions are there for all to see. There was one notable moment as United broke down the right and Jones made a bursting run into space. When there was no sign of a pass, and the move broke down, the teenager flung his arms around in frustrated dismay. The youngest member of the team is clearly comfortable making his feelings known to anyone.

Since that cataclysmic 6-1 defeat at home to Manchester City United have garnered 19 out of 21 points in the Premier League. They may not yet be back at their fluent best. They may find a few areas exposed against better opponents. But they responded to a mighty shock to the system in classic Ferguson style. The visiting supporters stuck their chests out sufficiently even to make light of their new European status. "Channel 5 is wonderful," they sang, loud and almost proud.





 

[h=1] [/h]
[h=2]Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal[/h] [h=1]Manchester City v Arsenal: five things we learned[/h] Manchester City showed they can handle pressure while Arsenal have clearly improved since their last trip to Manchester




Manchester City's Mario Balotelli did not get sent off or even booked against Arsenal, showing that he can have an ordinary day at the office. Photograph: Tim Hales/AP

[h=2]1 Manchester City made their point[/h]Nobody should question their nerve. Losing to Chelsea had been enough for Alan Hansen to talk on Match of the Day of a set of players that were going through their "blip". Roberto Mancini's team played as though affronted by the suggestion that they might be showing signs of strain. They did not reach their most exhilarating levels, Samir Nasri's man-of-the-match award seemed generous in the extreme and they found Arsenal difficult opponents but they still controlled large swaths of the match. Tuesday marks the point when they will be a year unbeaten at home, a run that incorporates 26 wins out of 28 matches and gives the Etihad Stadium legitimate credentials to be recognised as the most formidable stadium in the country. They have registered their first clean sheet in the league since 1 October and, in the process, they ensured that Manchester United's excursion to the top of the Premier League was only a brief one.
[h=2]2 Arsenal take dignity in defeat[/h]The last time they were in Manchester they sieved eight goals and the experience was chastening enough to harden the debate about whether the Arsène Wenger era gets the happy ending it deserves. Three months on this was another unhappy trip north but there was dignity in the defeat. Just because a team lose does not mean they played badly and, while Arsenal ultimately came up short, they were probably the best league team to come to the Etihad this season. They had togetherness, an order, the sense of a team that once again knows where it wants to be. They have lost twice now to City in three weeks, so there is a clear gulf between the sides. They are also relying too much on Robin van Persie's goals but equally they can reflect on how far they have come since that 8-2 embarrassment at Old Trafford and realise they are heading in the right direction. It was noticable that Wenger praised the performance. "We can take encouragement but what we need is encouragement and points," he said.
[h=2]3 Praise for an unsung hero [/h]Roberto Mancini is entitled to be concerned about the amount of time Yaya Touré will be away for the Africa Cup of Nations but Gareth Barry is doing his best to show City are hardly short of solid central midfielders. Barry has become one of the club's unsung heroes and at times in his first two years in Manchester, when his performances have loitered around six out of 10, he has invited legitimate questions about his value to the team. But this season he has shifted a few of those questions. Barry does all the muck-and-nettles stuff associated with being a holding midfielder but he is not restricted to winning the ball and laying it off and his pass in the ninth minute to send Pablo Zabaleta clear on the left was one of the game's outstanding moments.
[h=2]4 Theo Walcott wasted his moment to shine[/h]This should have been a day when Walcott reminded us how devastating his pace can be. Gaël Clichy's suspension meant he was facing Pablo Zabaleta, an accomplished full-back with caps for Argentina, but hardly known for his mobility and susceptible at times to fast, direct wingers. Yet the outstanding Zabaleta won the contest with an ease that will dismay Wenger. Walcott is still only 22 and, at that age, it is only normal there will be times when he is erratic and frustrating. Even so, it was disappointing to see him drifting to the edges of the game. He was a substitution waiting to happen and it was surprising he lasted to the 70th minute.
[h=2]5 Mario Balotelli can manage a day without controversy[/h]For City the most galling part of Mario Balotelli's latest bit of training-ground aggro was the way it was misconstrued in some quarters as a sign that they were fragile mentally in the wake of losing to Chelsea. For the record Balotelli's previous misdemeanours have all occurred when the previous matches ended in victory (this being his fourth incident of this type in a year). The lad, in other words, just likes the occasional barney. It can be exasperating, amusing and bewildering all at once but this is the weird and wacky world of Mario Balotelli and what really matters is whether he is contributing on the football pitch. It was his run and shot that led to David Silva's winner and, by Balotelli's standards, there were only brief complaints when he was substituted. Afterwards Mancini was asked about rumours that Balotelli, dressed in a Santa outfit, had spent Saturday night driving round Manchester giving money to homeless people. "With Mario, it's possible," he replied.
 
[h=1]Club World Cup final: Santos 0-4 Barcelona – as it happened[/h] Lionel Messi once again inspired Barcelona to a scintillating victory as the champions of Europe swept aside Santos





Lionel Messi - he's not bad, you know. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

Preamble: Hello and welcome to the Hype machine. They say that a questioning mind is a sign of intelligence. What is the Club World Cup? What is a Neymar? And why the jings am I not still in bed at this time on a Sunday morning? These posers, and possibly more, could well be answered over the next two hours.
Though when I say "what is a Neymar", I am of course being disingenuous. This is a Neymar; and this, as well as this. Actually, ignore the last one. He is the (latest) new Pele. Good luck with that, then. Anyway, with the Santos starlet up against a man worthy of his own constellation in Lionel Messi, today's CWC final is being billed as a match for the ages, a face-off between the world's best. What does Cristiano think of it all, I wonder? The script we've been given is for a two-strong cast: Pele Jr and the heir to Maradona – the Marvelous Cockatoo versus the Atomic Flea.
Kick-off at the Yokohama Stadium is at 10.30am GMT, and I'll have the teams ready for you in a jiffy.
Neymar, Messi and 21 other blokes:
Santos: Barbosa, Edu Dracena, Leo, Durval, Bruno Rodrigo, Danilo, Arouca, Henrique, Ganso, Borges, Neymar.
Subs: Aranha, Elano, Bruno Aguiar, Carvalho, Vinicius, Anderson, Ibson, Alan Kardec, Renteria, Para, Diogo, Vladimir.
Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Fabregas, Thiago.
Subs: Pinto, Sanchez, Mascherano, Keita, Pedro, Jonathan, Maxwell, Adriano, Fontas, Cuenca, Oier.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
Form guide: Barcelona lifted the Club World Cup two years ago, after beating Estudiantes in the final, but it's been some time since Santos were crowned the best in the world* – it was 1963 when the Brazilian side won the second of their two Intercontinental Cups. Since that competition was replaced by Fifa's pan-national jamboree in 2000 (you know, when Manchester United killed the FA Cup and were made to look like chumps for their sins), Brazilian teams won the first three, European sides the last four. You may not be surprised to hear that Barcelona start as favourites today but if anything can bring down tiki-taka, perhaps it's joga bonito.
*Because this is really just a glorified Charity Shield, isn't it?
The pennants have been exchanged, so let's get it on ...
Peep! And we're off, with Santos in white kicking from left to right, Barcelona doing the opposite while wearing their traditional blaugrana livery.
1 min: And Barcelona have slipped the needle straight into its groove, seizing possession from the kick-off and coming forward through Eric Abidal on the left and then Cesc Fabregas towards the right-hand side of the Santos area.
2 min: Lionel Messi goes on his first jinking, stuttering, rag-doll run of the night, before being crowded out on the edge of the area. Santos still haven't had a kick ...
4 min: As soon as a man in white manages to get his foot on the ball – in this case Santos's other young gun, Paulo Henrique Ganso – he can only succeed in putting it out for a throw-in. Dani Alves then goes marauding forward on the right, but his cross comes to nothing.
6 min: "Good morning from Toronto mate." And good morning to you, Don Evans. "Neymar, Messi and 21 others?? Must be earlier there than here? 20 others?" Referees haven't been replaced by omniscient robots yet, you know, Don.
7 min: A first sight of goal for Santos, after Barcelona allowed them the briefest moment of possession. Carles Puyol, though, manages to disposses Neymar on the edge of the area, after a sinuous run from the 19-year-old.
9 min: At the other end, Barcelona tiki-taka their way into the box again, with Fabregas, I think, going down under pressure. There are some desultory moans for a penalty - but aren't there always?
10 min: Barcelona don't like to let the opposition have a go, do they?
12 min: Barcelona attacks are crashing likes waves on the Sao Paulo shoreline. A Fabregas cut back on the left of the area just fails to find a team-mate and then Messi manages to squeeze out a shot from near the edge of the box, near the centre, which the keeper saves, pushing the rebound out to Thiago ... who doesn't quite get hold of the rebound and the keeper blocks the shot with his legs.
14 min: Another brief foray forward for Santos results in Gerard Pique bodily muscling Borges to the ground. That's a free-kick in a promising position, some 25 yards out on the right ...
15 min: ... which Ganso, teed up by Neymar, drills a few yards wide of the near post.
GOAL! Santos 0-1 Barcelona (Messi 17) Barcelona take the lead and it's another moment of humdrum brilliance from The Best Team in the World. Messi, dropping deep on the right, turned away from his man before feeding Fabregas, who pinged a first-time ball inside to Xavi. Though it was slightly behind him, Xavi brought the ball down with a cocked leg, effectively using his ankle to control it, before slipping a pass through to Messi, who had motored forward into the channel. The little Argentine then delicately scooped the ball over the advancing keeper - though the defender on the line probably should have done better with his attempted overhead clearance, succeeding only in shinning the ball into the side-netting.
19 min: Did I mention that goal was a thing of *yawn* beauty? Anyway, forget that, the Sistene Chapel won't paint itself - here comes Thiago Alcantara down the left. This time there's no end product, which I suppose we'll have to forgive the lad.
GOAL! Santos 0-2 Barcelona (Xavi 23) There's nothing bonito about Santos's joga at the moment, as Barcelona are tearing the Brazilians a new one. This is like a training match - it's borderline embarrassing. This time, Alves has time and space to pick his cross from the right and although a defender manages to get half a peg on it, Xavi brings the centre immediately under control before lashing a low shot past Rafael Cabral.
25 min: A timely observation from Don Evans: "Wow!! That was bloody brilliant!" Messi then goes through one-on-one again, but the covering defender just manages to get back and put him off as he shapes for another lob.
27 min: A shot! Santos have a shot! On target and everything! It was diminutive goal-poaching scamperer and literary giant Borges, dashing into space behind Pique before rifling a low righ-footer at Valdes, who clutches the ball tightly to his chest. That was actually not a bad chance.
29 min Fabregas hits the post! Santos seem to have loaned Andre Villas-Boas's high defensive line and one again the Spanish champions locate a precise ball in behind. Fabregas, who is almost playing as a centre-forward in this fluid Barça line-up, collects possession before hammering a low strike which beats Rafael Cabral at his near post but zangs back out off the woodwork.
31 min: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Santos make an early change, bringing on former Manchester City sulk Elano for Danilo. Barcelona, in case you were wondering, have had roughly three-quarters of the possession thus far.
33 min: "Morning, from Cairo, my new riotous home," says Simon Frank, who, it turns out, is a geography pedant. "Sao Paulo doesn't have a shoreline (min 12)... BUT, Santos is a port just outside Sao Paulo, so maybe you're right after all, in a double-wrong way." It wouldn't be the first time, Simon.
35 min: Borges has got an eyelash in his eye, so there's a brief moment of respite. By the way, has anyone seen Neymar recently? I'm pretty sure that if he doesn't now go on to score a hat-trick, his entire career is going to bobbins ...
37 min: "Man alive, a MORNING MBM? I'm off the booze myself, but I feel sorry for anyone doing a MBM drinking game and still hoping to be compis mentis for the 4pm Arsenal Man City game." I don't expect I'll be compos mentis by then, Ryan Dunne, though I'll be in the chair to see how far short the Premier League comes of this fare.
38 min: Ah, there's Neymar, mouth agape after bumping into Big Ole Gerard Pique. It's a foul but, predictably, Santos are soon back in their own half, trying to piece together their dignity.
40 min: "There goes Neymar!" exclaims the ESPN commentator, excitedly, milliseconds before Eric Abidal calmly intercepts the ball. If this game were being brought to you by Warner Brothers, the Brazilian's colourful mohican would be all of a droop right now.
42 min: "As a Culé who's also a die-hard Argentina fan, I'm loving this game," declares Cecilia Marjakangas, with unabashed pride/gloating schadenfreude. "Pele said Neymar is better than La Pulga; let's see him take back his words. Maradona's comment to Pele's claim: Pele must change doctors and his medication, and take it in the night instead of in the morning. I tend to agree. Maybe then Pele stopped talking in the third person. Anyhow, a fabulous match. I love watching Barcelona play. Whenever they lose the ball (rarely), they hunt in packs like wolves, press hard and win it back. In some games Messi wanders deep into the opposition half, steals the ball back and goes on one of his amazing mazy runs and scores. Really my favourite thing to watch."
GOAL! Santos 0-3 Barcelona (Fabregas 45) Criminy, even the Charity Shield is usually more competitive than this. Messi again causes havoc in the Santos box, collecting a cross on the gallop before turning and back-heeling into the path of Dani Alves. His cut back is headed goalwards by Thiago and although that effort is blocked, the ball lands at the feet of Cesc Fabregas, who bobbles a shot across the keeper and into the far corner. It was almost an apologetic finish - but really Santos are the ones who should be saying sorry, after another bout of hapless defending.
Peep! Peep! That's half-time. Which is what Santos are being paid, after a first period in which Barcelona demonstrated for the umpteenth time that they're playing a different game to everyone else.
Half-time bantz: "In an attempt to distract myself from the increasing depression caused by the third goal here in Sao Paulo, I thought I would point out that Sao Paulo does have a coast - Sao Paulo is the name of the state as well as the city," writes my old mucker, Paul Sutcliffe. "The beaches on the north coast are best - we will be heading there next weekend to eat a hot Christmas dinner in sweltering conditions and forget about this shambles."
Here's Liam Burke, with an email that demonstrates just how empty his life is will endear him to the MBM readership: "Seeing as you're accepting corrections from geography pedants, here's one from a linguistic pedant: "joga bonito" is incorrect. The term is "jogo bonito". "Joga" is the third person singular present tense of the verb "jogar" (to play). "Jogo" is the noun (meaning: game).
And we have another missive from an ever-so-slightly-chuffed Cecilia Marjakangas ... "Btw, did you see the shirts the Barça players wore prior to the game? They had a text saying "Mucha Fuerza Guaje" which roughly translates into "a lot of strength to David Villa" who's out injured having broken his leg in the last Club World Cup match. Poor Villa. Another The Kid (El Guaje in Asturian), incidentally. Maybe this'll give El Niño a chance with Spain. And yes, I continue to gloat. You watching, Pele?"
"Football will be complete the day someone devises a tactic that lets 11 Xavi's play together." People would get bored of that in the end, Deepu Sebastian. After all, they tired of Pogs.
Peep! Peep! The Save Our Santos rescue mission begins here ...
46 min: And Fabregas immediately bursts into the box, having won the ball high up the pitch and then received Messi's square ball, to fiddle a side-footed effort just wide of the post. Actually, it was a very good save from the goalkeeper, finger-tipping the ball an inch or two wide ...
47 min: The corner for Barcelona comes to nothing and Santos work another brief sniff of goal, this time Borges outstripping Abidal down the right before aiming a cross at Neymar - but his header loops up and over the bar.
49 min: Barcelona get in behind Santos once more - but a flag from the assistant referee saves their bacon this time. Here's Horacio Morales, via Twitter: "Not the best time to bring up the competitiveness of SA sides, but such a shame UChile is not here instead of overrated Santos."
50 min: Barcelona are knocking it about. Unless I expressly say otherwise, you can consider that to be the case ad infinitum.
51 min: They haven't induced mass panic in the Santos backline in at least five minutes, though. So, they're not quite perfect.
52 min: Hang on, I spoke too soon. Messi went skeddadling through the middle, evading tackles, wrecking balls, a buzzsaw, etc, before slipping a ball out to the left for Thiago, whose cross to the back post is headed comically off target by Dani Alves. Barça do win a corner, with the ball pinging off an unwitting defender - but that really should have been four.
54 min: Another chance for Messi, who tries to nutmeg Rafael Cabral from close range but doesn't quite pull it off. At the other end, Borges forces a save from Victor Valdes, who comes off his line to block with his legs.
55 min: Barcelona substitution: Gerrard Pique off, Javier Mascherano on.
56 min: "I know there are people out there for whom watching Barcelona is the most exciting thing a chap could possibly do on a Sunday. But frankly, I worry about anyone who'd rather this clinical blandness than the Classicoast this afternoon. No tiki, no taka, many sensible haircuts. There are many ways to play the game, and frankly, Barcelona's is clearly not the most interesting; down with quality football, I say." We're all excited about Portsmouth-Southampton, Rob Marriott, but I think I'd take Messi above Rickie Lambert, if pressed.
57 min: A mistake from the substitute Mascherano allows Neymar through on goal but the youngster again fluffs his lines, allowing Valdes to close the gap rapidly and snuff out the chance. It was always going to be reductive to make this all about Messi v Neymar (see preamble), as the Brazilian is still a teenager who is developing his game - but he has struggled today. Perhaps it would help if his manager didn't say things like "he's going to be the best player in the world".
60 min: Santos have actually worked themselves back into this a wee bit, though their still barely threatening to Barcelona goal. You sense that Barcelona have eased off a touch, as well.
62 min: "French TV reporting 75% possession for Barca in the first half, is that right?," wonders Philippa Booth. I believe it is - at least that's what the ESPN bods were saying. "At a certain point, watching them makes you a bit uneasy, like you're complicit in bullying or something. Like watching the big kid nick the little kid's mittens. Beautiful play, though."
64 min: A lovely bit of skill from Neymar on the left, albeit one preceded by a couple of ineffectual drag-backs, pulling Puyol from side to side then flicking a pass into the area for Ganso. He can't do anything with it, but still.
66 min: With the action not quite so breathless, there's time to reflect on Barcelona tactics, in the Jona Wilson stylee. The Catalans again appear to have deployed three at the back, with Busquets shielding them and Thiago and Alves playing as wingbacks, or rather auxillary midfielders. So much in control of the midfield have Barca been, I've hardly noticed Busquets presence all game. Which isn't such a bad thing.
68 min: Barcelona, for a change, keep hold of the ball. Messi is then denied by an offside flag, though he failed to beat the keeper anyway.
69 min: "The Barca style is not boring," says Ben Dunn, "much like Kirsten Dunst there is an unconventional attractiveness at play, but watching uncompetitive game after uncompetitive game really grinds after four years. When will this cycle end?" Likening Barca's style to "unconventionally attractive" Kirsten Dunst sounds like faint praise to me ...
71 min: Mascherano is booked for a crude challenge near the centre circle, going completely over the top of the ball. He's not a centre-half, is he?
72 min: The linesman's flag again twitches into action, this time after Alves had been played in behind the defence. It was a late decision and, though it was, tight, looked to have slightly on the wrong side of right.
74 min: Now Edu Dracena is booked for a tug on Messi. The game's opening up a little, though, with Ganso having a shot charged down moments beforehand.
76 min: "Here's Cesc dedicating his goal to David Villa, with seven fingers. A lovely gesture," writes Cecilia Marjakangas. "Anyhow, does Neymar have the silliest hair in the 'footballing family'? Speaking of which, was Mario Balotelli really driving through Manchester last night in a Santa costume, handing out money? Christmas cheer all around, in blaugrana colours." Sad to say, Neymar's dead skunk is probably not the worst thing on show these days. Have you seen Raul Meireles recently? As for Balotelli, nothing would surprise me any more.
78 min: Santos send on Alan Kardec on in place of Borges, while Pedro replaces Thiago for the soon-to-be Club World Champions.
79 min: Barcelona hit the post again! Dani Alves, moving over to the left side of the pitch, rasped a low drive against the upright from the edge of the area, with the keeper beaten!
GOAL! WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! Santos 0-4 Barcelona (Messi 82) There have been more gaps in the Santos defence than in OJ Simpson's today, and Alves, sprinting into another one, has little to do to release Messi through on goal once again. There's still a touch of magic to the finish, though, as the Flea delicately flicks the balls past Rafael Cabral's lunge with the outside of his boot before popping it into an unguarded net.
85 min: This has been quite an evisceration, you'll not be at all surprised to hear, and Barcelona could comfortably have scored eight. Not that anyone was expecting otherwise, I suppose. Santos seem to have come armed with little more than hope and a callow talisman up front – 10th in the Brazilian league has looked a million miles from Club World Cup material here.
87 min: "I know she's not up there with Cheryl Cole, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, or Samantha "Queen of the MILFs" Cameron, but making Kirsten Dunst synonymous with the 'unconventionally' attractive surely indicates a wholly flawed analogy," splutters Ryan Dunne, who's continuing to focus on the important issues. "I think she suffered from starring in those Spider-Man movies, MJ Watson being like the platonic idea of the Perfect Woman to my fellow geeks. Similarly, you could take any clips of a characterstic Barca goal (peerless Xavi through ball, Messi finish) and I'm pretty sure that a 'World Cup and Euros' football fan would be impressed. Barcelona are 'conventionally' superb."
88 min: Alves probably should have scored at least once in this game - but this time he shins an attempted lob over from inside the area.
90 min: Barcelona come forward, Santos chase their tail. There's only so many way you can paint this picture - even MJ Watson would look preeeeeeetty darn good in a Barça shirt.
Peep! Peep! Peepity-Peep! It's all over. But that was the story about an hour ago. The South Americans were repeatedly pummelled to the canvas by Barcelona's combinations, a 4-0 scoreline almost completely failing to reflect the level of their dominance. So, that's another bauble for the cabinet and, David Villa's unfortunate injury notwithstanding, it's been a successful jaunt for the world's premier side - officially, as if there were any doubting beforehand. Neymar? Well, I'm sure we'll hear from him again. As always, our focal point is Ingerland's Premier League, however, so we'll bring it all back with an email from Derek Hatton and a nod to this afternoon's 4pm kick-off, for which I hope you'll join me: "I think we can safely say now, Alan, that Fàbregas has won more trophies/medals in four months at Barça than in his eight years at Arsenal. European and Spanish Super Cups and World Club Cup. " And he said it wasn't an easy decision to make. Thanks for all your emails - cheerio!





 
[h=1]Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United are on the verge of agreeing a £25m deal to sign Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan in January.
Full story: caughtoffside.com
United are also weighing up an £18m bid for Real Madrid's out-of-favour German midfielder Sami Khedira.
Full story: Footybunker.com
David Beckham's management team have dismissed reports in the French media that the former England captain is in Paris to complete a move to Paris St Germain.
Full story: Talksport
Didier Drogba could choose to join Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka at Shanghai Shenhua after Marseille's bid to sign the Ivory Coast striker failed.
Full story: insidefutbol.com
Ederzito has emerged as a summer transfer target for Arsenal. The Guinea-born striker currently plays for Portuguese side Academica.
Full story: Metro
QPR are ready to outbid Sunderland for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic after watching the Croatian in action during the 2-1 win over Inverness *Caledonian Thistle.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is ready to make a move for Barnsley's young skipper Jacob Butterfield, who is valued at abou £2m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
Alan Shearer has emerged as the front-runner to replace Steve Kean as Blackburn manager, with the club's owners weighing up whether to give Kean one last chance in the game against Bolton on Tuesday night.
Full story: Daily Mail
Kean will learn his fate when he meets the club's owners on Wednesday, but they are already considering replacements including Avram Grant and former boss Graeme Souness.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted the club's disastrous Premier League form is "killing him" on the inside.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
AND FINALLY
Bayern Munich's Daniel van Buyten struck a free-kick so hard that the ball burst during a Bundesliga match against FC Cologne.
Full story: Metro
 
[h=1]Man United Set to Clinch £25m Signing of Benfica Playmaker Nicolas Gaitan[/h] 0digg


Comments Off by Christian Bailey on December 18th, 2011


9 Votes

Old Trafford side set to sign Argentine international.
Watch the Premier League Live Streaming

Manchester United will reportedly secure the signing of Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan in January. Sir Alex Ferguson has moved to clinch a deal to sign the Argentine next month after seeing a number of his midfield options ruled out with injuries and is keen to snap up the 23 year old after scouting the former Boca Juniors man for much of the season.
Sources in Portugal are of the opinion that the Premier League side have practically reached agreement with Benfica to sign Gaitan in a £25m deal, initially the deal was said to be planned for the summer but injuries to the likes of Anderson and Tom Cleverley as well as illness curtailing Darren Fletcher's involvement this season have left Ferguson short of midfield options.
Gaitan only moved to Portugal 18 months ago but has been a huge hit at Benfica, helping them to keep on level terms with FC Porto at the top of the domestic table. However it was the Argentine international's performances in the Champions League, including in two encounters with Man United, that are said to have persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to meet the player's asking price.
Ferguson will look to the Man United board to sanction the bid as he looks to make up ground on big spenders Man City and after seeing their local rivals start the season with a bang. The Old Trafford boss is also keen to strengthen his side and plan for the future after coming up short in Champions League action.
Gaitan is an adaptable attack minded midfielder who often plays in a floating role for Benfica and is very much part of the Argentine national team set-up under new coach Alejandro Sabella.
Target hunting in the Portuguese leagues has proved a success in the recent past for Ferguson with the likes of Anderson, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo all being brought in from Portugal to the Premier League.
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[h=1]Milan to meet Manchester City to discuss Carlos Tevez on Thursday[/h] • Milan want to take striker on loan with option to buy
• City would prefer to sell Argentinian in January





Adriano Galliani has said that Carlos Tevez wants to move to Milan, rather than Paris St-Germain. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

The Milan vice-president, Adriano Galliani, says he will meet Manchester City on Thursday to discuss signing Carlos Tevez. Milan want to take the troubled forward on a loan deal with a view to a permanent move in the summer, though City would prefer to sell Tevez during the January transfer window.
In comments reported by the Italian news agency Ansa, Galliani said: "It's true I'm meeting them Thursday, but I don't think the deal will be concluded that day."

Galliani told Radio 1 Rai: "We're not going to take him outright: we're offering a free loan with the right to buy in June. The player wants to come to us and not PSG [Paris St-Germain] and we hope City accept the offer."
Galliani said signing Maxi López, currently at Catania, was a "standby" option if Milan are unable to agree terms with City for Tevez. Catania are expecting López to leave during the January transfer window; the club's general manager, Pietro Lo Monaco, on Monday said the club had received several offers for the Argentinian forward.





 
[h=1]Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours[/h]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea are ready to test Everton's resolve to hang on to £20m-rated Jack Rodwell with a January bid.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Premier League strugglers Bolton look ready to cash in on in-demand defender Gary Cahill in the January transfer window.
Full story: Metro
Arsenal are ready to sell Andrey Arshavin and will listen to offers for the Russian forward in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester United have targeted Ajax teenager Christian Eriksen as the man to solve their midfield problems.
Full story: Daily Mail
Cash-rich Spanish side Malaga are hoping to tempt Chelsea to part with Fernando Torres for £25m.
Full story: caughtoffside
North East rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland are set to clash over the transfer of 23-year-old Celtic striker Gary Hooper.
Full story: Footybunker
Tottenham Hotspur have launched a £5m swoop for 23-year-old FC Twente goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov.
Full story: Insidefutbol

OTHER GOSSIP
Michael Dawson is set to return for Tottenham early in the new year after an Achilles injury.
Full story: Talksport
Arsenal must finish above Tottenham in the Premier League says their keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
AND FINALLY
Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan admits he deserves to be dropped after having a stinker against Reading.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 
[h=2]Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers, 8pm Tuesday 20 December 2011[/h] [h=1]Under-fire Steve Kean bullish before Blackburn's derby D-day[/h] • 'We understand the magnitude of this game,' says manager
• Owen Coyle's Bolton job not thought to be on the line




Steve Kean has faced calls for his dismissal from Blackburn Rovers fans virtually since the start of the season. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

A defiant Steve Kean has claimed that he is not on the brink of being sacked, despite the widespread belief that defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night will trigger exactly that for the Blackburn Rovers manager.
Speculation has surrounded the position of both managers before the relegation battle at Ewood Park. Although Bolton are rooted at the foot of the Premier League, having claimed only nine points from 16 games, Owen Coyle's job is not thought to be under immediate threat. Coyle retains strong support within the Bolton boardroom, with directors aware of the difficulties their manager has faced after the loss of key players.
Kean, on the other hand, has faced calls for his dismissal from fans virtually since the start of the season. Saturday's home defeat to West Bromwich Albion left Blackburn second-bottom, a point ahead of Tuesday's opponents, although Kean says he retains the backing of the club's Indian owners, Venky's, following a meeting on Sunday.
"I would never back away," Kean said. "When we win I come up and answer questions. If we lose or draw it is not something I would ever run away from. You have to face up to the responsibility. People deserve that respect.
"It doesn't keep me awake but it is a difficult situation. I won't turn my back on it, though. I think we can get through it and when we do I will know how tough it has been and be determined not to go there again. In a strange way, we can use it as a deterrent not to go on a run like this and turn things around."
Kean insisted he held talks with Blackburn's owners without the subject of his future arising. "We spoke for 45 minutes and had a good conversation. We were looking forward to the transfer window opening," he said.
"The owners are concerned with where we are, as everyone is. But they have given me their full backing and given us full backing in the transfer window. We have been speaking about new players that we hope to bring in because it is important that we are active now so as soon as the window opens, we get some players in."
A further set of talks, those scheduled for Wednesday between board members, could, however, spell trouble for Kean if his team lose the Lancashire derby. Alan Shearer, Avram Grant and Mark Hughes have all been mentioned as possible successors to Kean.
"The pressure is part of my job," Kean said. "When you are in the position ourselves and Bolton are in you accept and expect there is going to be a bit of stick coming your way. You have to face it and accept it. We understand the magnitude of this game. It is a six-pointer."
The local Blackburn paper, the Lancashire Telegraph, ran a front-page comment piece on Monday that called for Kean to be sacked. The manager has been subject to fierce criticism and protests from his own club's supporters this season.
At Bolton there has at least been backing from the stands for Coyle, who insisted he remained unconcerned by speculation over his position. "Have your opinion, call it any way you like but it doesn't faze me. In terms of my own situation, whatever is going to happen will happen.
"I try to work with a smile on my face, although it is difficult at this time because we are not getting the results we should be. We all have jobs to do and as long as no one gets personal about anyone at my club we will not have a problem about that."
Kean added: "When you win games and get pats on the back, you take that with a pinch of salt. When you lose one, you just have to prepare for the next one.
"I'm not trying to pretend I don't understand the magnitude of this [Bolton] game but, when I go into the changing room and get out on the training ground, players are behind what we're trying to do.
"I'd ask the fans to stick with us for a game as important as this. When we scored [against West Brom] they were with us when the momentum changed. We had a late goal against us and we're all disappointed but, if they can stick with us, it can make a massive difference."
Kean's task has been made tougher by injuries. Scott Dann is the latest to head for the treatment table, with the defender expected to miss six weeks because of a ruptured testicle. "I know what my back four will be but it will not be people who have too many games under their belts because we don't have them available," said the Blackburn manager.
 
[h=2]Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers, 8pm Tuesday 20 December 2011[/h] [h=1]Under-fire Steve Kean bullish before Blackburn's derby D-day[/h] • 'We understand the magnitude of this game,' says manager
• Owen Coyle's Bolton job not thought to be on the line




Steve Kean has faced calls for his dismissal from Blackburn Rovers fans virtually since the start of the season. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

A defiant Steve Kean has claimed that he is not on the brink of being sacked, despite the widespread belief that defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night will trigger exactly that for the Blackburn Rovers manager.
Speculation has surrounded the position of both managers before the relegation battle at Ewood Park. Although Bolton are rooted at the foot of the Premier League, having claimed only nine points from 16 games, Owen Coyle's job is not thought to be under immediate threat. Coyle retains strong support within the Bolton boardroom, with directors aware of the difficulties their manager has faced after the loss of key players.
Kean, on the other hand, has faced calls for his dismissal from fans virtually since the start of the season. Saturday's home defeat to West Bromwich Albion left Blackburn second-bottom, a point ahead of Tuesday's opponents, although Kean says he retains the backing of the club's Indian owners, Venky's, following a meeting on Sunday.
"I would never back away," Kean said. "When we win I come up and answer questions. If we lose or draw it is not something I would ever run away from. You have to face up to the responsibility. People deserve that respect.
"It doesn't keep me awake but it is a difficult situation. I won't turn my back on it, though. I think we can get through it and when we do I will know how tough it has been and be determined not to go there again. In a strange way, we can use it as a deterrent not to go on a run like this and turn things around."
Kean insisted he held talks with Blackburn's owners without the subject of his future arising. "We spoke for 45 minutes and had a good conversation. We were looking forward to the transfer window opening," he said.
"The owners are concerned with where we are, as everyone is. But they have given me their full backing and given us full backing in the transfer window. We have been speaking about new players that we hope to bring in because it is important that we are active now so as soon as the window opens, we get some players in."
A further set of talks, those scheduled for Wednesday between board members, could, however, spell trouble for Kean if his team lose the Lancashire derby. Alan Shearer, Avram Grant and Mark Hughes have all been mentioned as possible successors to Kean.
"The pressure is part of my job," Kean said. "When you are in the position ourselves and Bolton are in you accept and expect there is going to be a bit of stick coming your way. You have to face it and accept it. We understand the magnitude of this game. It is a six-pointer."
The local Blackburn paper, the Lancashire Telegraph, ran a front-page comment piece on Monday that called for Kean to be sacked. The manager has been subject to fierce criticism and protests from his own club's supporters this season.
At Bolton there has at least been backing from the stands for Coyle, who insisted he remained unconcerned by speculation over his position. "Have your opinion, call it any way you like but it doesn't faze me. In terms of my own situation, whatever is going to happen will happen.
"I try to work with a smile on my face, although it is difficult at this time because we are not getting the results we should be. We all have jobs to do and as long as no one gets personal about anyone at my club we will not have a problem about that."
Kean added: "When you win games and get pats on the back, you take that with a pinch of salt. When you lose one, you just have to prepare for the next one.
"I'm not trying to pretend I don't understand the magnitude of this [Bolton] game but, when I go into the changing room and get out on the training ground, players are behind what we're trying to do.
"I'd ask the fans to stick with us for a game as important as this. When we scored [against West Brom] they were with us when the momentum changed. We had a late goal against us and we're all disappointed but, if they can stick with us, it can make a massive difference."
Kean's task has been made tougher by injuries. Scott Dann is the latest to head for the treatment table, with the defender expected to miss six weeks because of a ruptured testicle. "I know what my back four will be but it will not be people who have too many games under their belts because we don't have them available," said the Blackburn manager.
 
[h=1]AC Milan to meet Manchester City over Carlos Tevez[/h] Page last updated at 21:41 GMT, Monday, 19 December 2011



By David Ornstein
BBC Sport Tevez has returned to his native Argentina without City's permission AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani will hold talks with Manchester City on Thursday over the possible transfer of Carlos Tevez.
Galliani will travel to Manchester to discuss the move with City officials.
It is believed City will allow the striker, 27, to join Milan on loan in January if the Italian club commits to a permanent deal in the summer.
Milan have previously had a bid of 23m euros (£19.3m) for the Argentine rejected by the Premier League leaders.
Continue reading the main story
Tevez is one of the players that comes with the tag, 'handle with care.' But, in Italy the best club to do that is AC Milan
​
Massimo Marianella Italian football journalist
The Serie A giants have been chasing Tevez for several weeks, with the sticking point being the terms of the transfer.
Galliani confirmed that a meeting with City had been arranged in interviews with Italian media on Monday.
He said: "On Thursday we have an appointment with Manchester City for Tevez but it will probably not be the decisive one to conclude negotiations.
"We're not going to take him outright, we're offering a free loan with the right to buy in June.
"The player wants to come to us and not PSG [Paris St Germain] and we hope City accept the offer."
Tevez is currently in his native Argentina having flown home without City's permission in November.
He has also been linked with a move to Paris St Germain, but the French side's director of football Leonardo said he will not stand in AC Milan's way if they can conclude a deal.
[h=2]TEVEZ SAGA TIMELINE[/h] Continue reading the main story
  • 27 September 2011 - City boss Roberto Mancini says that he wants Tevez "out of the club" after the striker allegedly refuses to play against Bayern Munich
  • 28 September 2011 - City suspend Tevez for two weeks
  • 12 October 2011 - City announce that Tevez will face disciplinary proceedings
  • 25 October 2011 - Tevez found guilty of five breaches of contract and fined four weeks' wages - later reduced to two weeks' following intervention by the PFA
  • 8 November 2011 - Tevez accepts a misconduct charge
  • 9 November 2011 - Tevez misses training
  • 24 November 2011 - AC Milan say they are in talks to sign Tevez
  • 6 December 2011 - AC Milan make a formal offer for Tevez, which is rejected
  • 11 December 2011 - City insist reports PSG are to sign Tevez are untrue
  • 19 December 2011 - City confirm scheduled talks with AC Milan over Tevez

Leonardo, a former Milan player and manager, told Italian newspaper La Repubblica: "I will not steal Tevez from Milan.
"I have not contacted the player and I will not get in between the Rossoneri's affairs.
"Even though I didn't share the views of [AC Milan owner Silvio] Berlusconi which meant it was impossible for me to stay at Milan, the relations with the club are good."
Despite clear momentum towards a resolution in the Tevez saga, negotiations between AC Milan and City could still break down over the player's valuation, according to Italian football journalist Massimo Marianella.
"I know for sure AC Milan want Carlos Tevez in January but I am not sure they could reach an agreement with Manchester City because of the money," Marianella told BBC World Service.
"My guess is that AC Milan want to go and see the Manchester City people and say 'the player wants to come to play for us and basically, we don't have the money to buy now, so give him on loan for a few months and see during the summer what we can do'."
Tevez has not played for City since they beat Birmingham on 21 September.
City boss Roberto Mancini alleged he refused to come off the substitutes' bench in September's Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich, while the player maintained there had been a misunderstanding.
An internal club investigation concluded that Tevez, who joined City in July 2009, was guilty of five breaches of his contract and he was fined four weeks' wages, reduced to two following intervention from the Professional Footballers' Association.
If he moves to Milan, Tevez would be joining a squad featuring notoriously temperamental players like Kevin-Prince Boateng, Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Marianella believes the Serie A champions would have no problem coping with Tevez's personality.
"He is one of the players that comes with the tag, 'handle with care', but, in Italy the best club to do that is AC Milan," he said.
"Don't forget at the moment, [head coach Massimiliano] Allegri and AC Milan have to deal with Boateng, Cassano, Ibrahimovic, so, I think if there is a club in Italy that can handle a player like him, it is AC Milan."
 
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