Transfer news...

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[h=1]EXCLUSIVE: How Arsenal can help Barca buy Bale[/h] Published 22:31 07/02/12 By John Cross

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Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is *planning a major shake-up to help launch a full-scale attempt to sign Gareth Bale this summer.
Guardiola has put Tottenham flyer Bale at the top of his transfer wish-list, ahead of Valencia's Jordi Alba and AC Milan defender Thiago Silva. They are also keen to land Brazilian *superstar Neymar to strengthen their forward line.
Barca are ready to offload 20-year-old forwards Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello and midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos, 21, to help fund the move for Bale and are also willing to propose a players-plus-cash deal.
They are prepared to listen to offers from England similar to the buy-back deal which took Oriol Romeu to Chelsea in the summer.


Arsenal are watching developments on Cuenca and Tello, while Chelsea are keeping tabs on all three youngsters.
Tottenham insist that Bale is not for sale, but may be facing a major battle to fend off interest from the European champions.

 

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[h=1]Berbatov unhappy at United but resigned to staying[/h] Published 21:25 07/02/12 By MirrorFootball

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...esigned-to-another-season-article862728.html#

Dimitar Berbatov expects to remain at Manchester United beyond this season but has reiterated his disenchantment at his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old was linked with a move away from the Red Devils in the January transfer window, but no deal was completed.
It is now expected that the club will activate a one-year extension to his contract - a clause written into his deal when he signed for United from Tottenham in 2008.
Berbatov has started just five of United's 24 Barclays Premier League matches this season and was famously left out of the match-day squad for last season's Champions League final.

He told Bulgarian sports website www.sportal.bg: "I am a Manchester United player, but I do not currently play in as many games as I want.
"I'm not happy that I do not play. But I cannot blame anyone, especially in the media.
"When I have something to say, I go and talk face to face with the manager. He decides everything."
Speaking about his future at United, Berbatov added: "There was nothing concrete as an offer to me. I read about such things, but they are more speculation. I do not know how long I will stay at Manchester United.
"To my knowledge, the clause to extend my contract for another year is automatically activated in March. I know nothing more."

 

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[h=1]Fergie: We'd have got to Champions League final again if we'd got out of the group[/h] Published 22:30 13/02/12 By David Anderson

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Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is still gutted by Manchester United's Champions League exit, and claims they would have reached the final if they had managed to get through the group stage.
European club football's elite competition resumes on Tuesday with a knockout stage that's without United for only the second time in 16 seasons.
Instead the Reds must make do with playing in the Europa League, and will face Ajax in a last-32 tie on the next two Thursday nights.
Fergie feels United missed an opportunity to reach their fourth final in five years, but admits they did not do enough to progress in their vital final group match away to Basel.


"It was a massive disappointment because my feeling is that if we'd gone through, we would have gone on to the final," said the United manager.
"For me, the problem was the home game against Basel.
"We were 2-0 up and then missed four or five clear-cut chances. We ended up losing our concentration and though we managed to salvage a draw, it was a bad result for us.
"It left us having to go and get at least a point in the return game. And though we dominated the match, we didn't score, and when that happens, you don't deserve to win."
Ferguson says Barcelona, who beat United in last season's final to lift the European Cup for the third time in six years, remain the team to beat.
Yet he insists, his latest United side, with its emphasis on youth, can compete with the Catalans.
"Barcelona are the best team in Europe - although Real Madrid [currently 10 points ahead of Barca at the top of the Spanish league] are closing the gap on them," he said. "The lead they've got in the league shows that.
"They might be on the same level as them soon, but for the moment Barca have still got that magical ability to play a game that's beyond everyone else.
"When Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta are on song, they're just unstoppable.
"I think we've got the ambition to compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid and we decided a few years ago to create a structure with young players, like Wayne Rooney and Nani.

"All we've had to do since then is just build things around a few young players.
"So I don't feel we're that far away from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"I'm sure we'll show that soon."

 

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[h=1]Championship clubs monitoring Torres...of Crawley Town[/h] Published 10:22 13/02/12 By James Nursey

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...io-Torres-of-Crawley-Town-article864807.html#

League Two promotion hopefuls Crawley face a battle to keep star Sergio Torres.

Argentine midfielder Torres,28, has been one of Town's most consistent players since joining in July 2010.

He has three goals this term and can play in several different positions.

But his contract expires in the summer and the ace is yet to pen a new deal despite being offered terms.

Torres' representative Barry McIntosh admitted: "Several Championship sides are watching developments.

"He's happy at Crawley but ambitious to play at a higher level."

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...io-Torres-of-Crawley-Town-article864807.html# Print Send Share

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[h=1]City stars back Hart to be England captain[/h] Published 22:31 13/02/12 By Mike Walters

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...ay-Given-and-James-Milner-article864944.html#

Joe Hart has yet to test the pearl of wisdom about goalkeepers not making great captains - but the world is his oyster.
Until now, amid manhunts for fugitive Argentines and the misadventure of mavericks launching fireworks from their bathrooms, one bedrock of Manchester City's title pursuit - Hart's 46 clean sheets for club and country in the last 18 months - has attracted only selective acclaim.
But after a last-gasp save at Aston Villa on Sunday that confirmed his reflexes are in full working order, Hart can no longer be taken for granted simply as England's No.1 keeper.
He is the thinking man's choice as Three Lions skipper for the launch the Harry Redknapp era.


And while Redknapp's coronation as manager is surely just a matter of laying red carpets, polishing crown and sceptre and booking the Archbishop of Canterbury to lead the nation's prayers, City stars past and present are lining up to lobby for Hart to be ‘Arry's lieutenant.
James Milner, Gareth Barry and Shay Given all know their class acts from their clowns, and feel Hart belongs firmly in the bracket which includes World Cup winners Dino Zoff and Iker Casillas - two goalkeepers who led national teams from the back.
Milner said: "Joe is simply a world-class goalkeeper. I've played with some great keepers and he's definitely up there with the best. He's only going to get better and better, he's been absolutely unbelievable for us this season.
"The England captaincy is nothing to do with me, decision-wise, but Harty's a great character. He talks, he's not afraid to say what he thinks and I'm sure he's going to be England's No.1 for a very long time, so he's as good a candidate as anyone."
Don't just take Milner's word for it.
Look at the glowing testimony from Barry in support of Hart, football's ultimate Joe Bloggs, the boy who was on the bench for hometown club Shrewsbury at the age of just 15 years 287 days.
Barry was in awe of Hart's brilliant late save from Darren Bent, which nailed down City's 1-0 win at Villa Park.
He said: "That's why people talk about him as one of the world's best. He's going to be around a long time, he's going to be England's No.1 for a long time, so good luck to him.
"We are indebted to Joe, he's been fantastic all season. It's not just in the last minute at Villa that he's made world-class saves, he's done it in nearly every game.
"That's why he's talked about as one of the best in the world.
"Next England captain? I'd give it to my friend Joe Hart. That's serious!"
Even without a single minute of playing time, Hart was England's best keeper at the 2010 World Cup.
He did not allow a daisy-cutter through his fumbling grasp against the USA.
He was not shell-shocked after letting in four against the Germans.
Since then, Hart has been as much an automatic choice for the No.1 jersey as Redknapp is to succeed Fabio Capello.
And unlike the captain who has been stood down pending a court case, Hart would not be a divisive choice as skipper.
Given, his former rival for the gloves at City, said: "A lot of managers, for some reason, don't want to give the goalkeeper the captain's armband, which I think is a bit strange.
"Joe could be an international captain, no problem. Dino Zoff won the World Cup with Italy, and in more recent times Iker Casillas won both the World Cup and European Championship as captain of Spain, so I definitely think a keeper can wear the armband.
"Joe has established himself for both Manchester City and England - he's the first name on the teamsheet, in more than one sense, and that will continue for the foreseeable future.
"There are different players putting themselves forward, but it depends how long they are going to be around the England squad - in the long term, Joe is going to be a big part of the set-up."
***
GLOVE STORY: KEEPERS AS SUCCESSFUL CAPTAINS
Dino Zoff (Italy) Lead Italy to 1982 World Cup victory
Iker Casillas (Spain) Skipper of Spain's 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 winners
Peter Shilton (England) 15 of his 125 caps came as captain. England's oldest captain at 40, in Italia 90.
David Seaman (England) Only captained England once, to mark his 50th appearance
Oliver Kahn (Germany) Captained Germany at 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004
Peter Schmeichel (Denmark) Skipper when United won the Champions League final in 1999
Ray Clemence (England) Captained England once in a 1-0 defeat to Brazil
Harald Schumacher (Germany) Led Germany at World Cup 1986
José Luis Chilavert (Paraguay) Paraguay at 1998 World Cup
Redknapp praise boosts Parker's England captaincy chances

 

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[h=1]McLeish wants to replace Warnock with younger Rangers model[/h] Published 22:25 12/02/12 By Football Spy

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...o-replace-Stephen-Warnock-article864716.html#

Alex McLeish is planning a £2.5million summer raid on cash-strapped Rangers for Scotland left-back Lee Wallace.
The Aston Villa boss wants Wallace, 24, to replace Stephen Warnock, who can leave the club at the end of season.
Warnock, 30, could join his former Villa manager Martin O'Neill at Sunderland.

 

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[h=2]Milan v Arsenal, Champions League first knockout round, 7.45pm Wednesday 15 February[/h] [h=1]Arsène Wenger hopes Arsenal can pile pressure on Chelsea in key week[/h] • European and FA Cup form may impact on Premier League
• Arsenal visit Milan in last 16 of Champions League

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• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 February 2012 23.00 GMT

Arsène Wenger said the mantle of 'crisis club' in the Premier League can move quickly like a fire. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

Arsène Wenger believes that Arsenal can make a statement of intent against Milan in the Champions League which could in turn raise the temperature at their Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Arsenal manager noted how the label of "crisis club" is passed on quickly in English football but he recognised that Chelsea are fighting fires after a sequence of poor results and mounting pressure on André Villas-Boas.
Arsenal are in the throes of a defining week, the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against the Italian champions and seven-time European Cup winners coming after Saturday's Premier League victory at Sunderland and before this Saturday's return to the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup fifth round.
The challenge for Arsenal is to build momentum as Chelsea falter, and a positive result at San Siro would bolster Wenger's squad in the battle to finish fourth in the Premier League. Arsenal hold the position on goal difference from Chelsea, in what is shaping up as a fight to the finish between England's remaining Champions League participants.
Chelsea begin their last-16 tie against Napoli next Tuesday, with Wenger saying Arsenal have the tougher assignment, against Milan, who sit on top of Serie A. He was not happy to see the condition of the San Siro pitch, which has been relaid in sections, describing it as "worrying" and "terrible".
"You could say that the crisis at the moment in England is a bit like fire," Wenger said, when asked about Chelsea's struggles. "It moves very quickly from one club to another. It's like a fire with strong wind so you have to be a bit cautious because it can quickly come back. The wind can blow it quickly back."
"This is the important time for us. Before the week started, I said that this week would be vital for us. We have to show now [that we can capitalise] and not consider too much whether it's Chelsea or us. It's down to us to do well and hopefully we will do it."
Wenger sounded a note of warning about the months ahead when he said his club would not be able to achieve their ends if they lost "a player like Per Mertesacker in every competition". The Germany centre-half faces being sidelined for the remainder of the season with ankle-ligament damage that he suffered at Sunderland. "He had reconstruction of his ankle in Germany before he joined us and the scan did not look too positive," Wenger said.
On a more upbeat note, Jack Wilshere could return to training "in a month", Wenger said, while Abou Diaby may return to the team within four weeks and Kieran Gibbs stands to play his first game since Sunderland in mid-October.
There is the sense that Arsenal want to put right a perceived wrong from last season, when they lost to the eventual Champions League winners Barcelona in the last 16. "We can never forget what happened last year," Wenger said. "Going out of the Champions League happened at a crucial moment of the season, in very special circumstances refereeing-wise and we had a last-minute chance to qualify. We want to show we're a better team. I can talk and talk but we have to show it."
There is also a romantic undercurrent, with Thierry Henry seeking the fairytale finish to his loan spell back at Arsenal; he returns to the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. His second coming at the club where he made his name has gone well, with him scoring three goals, including the winner at Sunderland. He has fond memories of San Siro, where he scored twice for Arsenal in a 5-1 Champions League victory over Internazionale in 2003 and Wenger, although he is not expected to start him, hopes that he will have an impact.
"He can do it again, especially in a country where he started his overseas career [with Juventus] and will be highly motivated," Wenger said. "If needed, he can help us. We didn't expect him to be so important for us … he is much sharper than I expected him to be after being out in the States.
"I am quite surprised because I expected him to have more pace problems, because he left top-level European football because he was a bit concerned about his knee problems or tendons, but he is in very good shape."

 

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[h=2]Milan v Arsenal, Champions League first knockout round, 7.45pm Wednesday 15 February[/h] [h=1]Arsène Wenger hopes Arsenal can pile pressure on Chelsea in key week[/h] • European and FA Cup form may impact on Premier League
• Arsenal visit Milan in last 16 of Champions League

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• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 February 2012 23.00 GMT

Arsène Wenger said the mantle of 'crisis club' in the Premier League can move quickly like a fire. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

Arsène Wenger believes that Arsenal can make a statement of intent against Milan in the Champions League which could in turn raise the temperature at their Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Arsenal manager noted how the label of "crisis club" is passed on quickly in English football but he recognised that Chelsea are fighting fires after a sequence of poor results and mounting pressure on André Villas-Boas.
Arsenal are in the throes of a defining week, the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against the Italian champions and seven-time European Cup winners coming after Saturday's Premier League victory at Sunderland and before this Saturday's return to the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup fifth round.
The challenge for Arsenal is to build momentum as Chelsea falter, and a positive result at San Siro would bolster Wenger's squad in the battle to finish fourth in the Premier League. Arsenal hold the position on goal difference from Chelsea, in what is shaping up as a fight to the finish between England's remaining Champions League participants.
Chelsea begin their last-16 tie against Napoli next Tuesday, with Wenger saying Arsenal have the tougher assignment, against Milan, who sit on top of Serie A. He was not happy to see the condition of the San Siro pitch, which has been relaid in sections, describing it as "worrying" and "terrible".
"You could say that the crisis at the moment in England is a bit like fire," Wenger said, when asked about Chelsea's struggles. "It moves very quickly from one club to another. It's like a fire with strong wind so you have to be a bit cautious because it can quickly come back. The wind can blow it quickly back."
"This is the important time for us. Before the week started, I said that this week would be vital for us. We have to show now [that we can capitalise] and not consider too much whether it's Chelsea or us. It's down to us to do well and hopefully we will do it."
Wenger sounded a note of warning about the months ahead when he said his club would not be able to achieve their ends if they lost "a player like Per Mertesacker in every competition". The Germany centre-half faces being sidelined for the remainder of the season with ankle-ligament damage that he suffered at Sunderland. "He had reconstruction of his ankle in Germany before he joined us and the scan did not look too positive," Wenger said.
On a more upbeat note, Jack Wilshere could return to training "in a month", Wenger said, while Abou Diaby may return to the team within four weeks and Kieran Gibbs stands to play his first game since Sunderland in mid-October.
There is the sense that Arsenal want to put right a perceived wrong from last season, when they lost to the eventual Champions League winners Barcelona in the last 16. "We can never forget what happened last year," Wenger said. "Going out of the Champions League happened at a crucial moment of the season, in very special circumstances refereeing-wise and we had a last-minute chance to qualify. We want to show we're a better team. I can talk and talk but we have to show it."
There is also a romantic undercurrent, with Thierry Henry seeking the fairytale finish to his loan spell back at Arsenal; he returns to the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. His second coming at the club where he made his name has gone well, with him scoring three goals, including the winner at Sunderland. He has fond memories of San Siro, where he scored twice for Arsenal in a 5-1 Champions League victory over Internazionale in 2003 and Wenger, although he is not expected to start him, hopes that he will have an impact.
"He can do it again, especially in a country where he started his overseas career [with Juventus] and will be highly motivated," Wenger said. "If needed, he can help us. We didn't expect him to be so important for us … he is much sharper than I expected him to be after being out in the States.
"I am quite surprised because I expected him to have more pace problems, because he left top-level European football because he was a bit concerned about his knee problems or tendons, but he is in very good shape."

 

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[h=1]Thierry Henry will be in Champions League squad, says Arsène Wenger[/h] • Arsenal manager confirms European return for French striker
• Record goalscorer in line to play in last-16 tie against Milan

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• guardian.co.uk, Sunday 8 January 2012 00.20 GMT
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Thierry Henry, in action for Arsenal in 2007, will return to the club's Champions League squad while on loan. Photograph: Christian Liewig/Liewig Media

Thierry Henry, who has returned to Arsenal on a short-term loan, will be in the Champions League squad to play Milan next month, Arsène Wenger has confirmed. The Arsenal manager told the club website that it was "logical" to put the 34-year-old forward in contention for the last-16 tie.
"Yes, he will be in the squad," Wenger said. "I have given Vito Mannone out on loan to Hull and Thierry will take his place. He has good memories of playing in Milan, where he scored three goals against Inter Milan."
Henry scored 42 goals in Europe in his first spell with Arsenal, and became the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 226 goals before joining Barcelona in June 2007.
The Frenchman will be at Arsenal during January and February, when Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are absent on Africa Cup of Nations duty, before rejoining his US team the New York Red Bulls to prepare for the Major League Soccer season which starts on 10 March.

 

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[h=1]Arsenal too predictable and need 'English mentality' – Dennis Bergkamp[/h] • Bergkamp says team needs to be 'more diverse'
• Expects Wenger to stay due to unfinished business

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• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 February 2012 01.08 GMT
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Dennis Bergkamp won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during his 11 years at Arsenal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Dennis Bergkamp believes the current Arsenal team are too predictable and need to develop "more of a winning mentality than a passing mentality".
"I'm not sure Arsenal have enough of that in their players, when the attitude becomes more important than the ability just to pass the ball," he said. "I don't know if the English mentality is missing a little bit. Sometimes I see their games and it's always the same way of playing, a bit too predictable."
The Dutchman, who won three Premier League titles in his 11 years at the London club, said there seem to be too many players of the same type in the Gunners line-up.
"It needs to be more diverse. You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches. You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I don't feel there are enough of them," Bergkamp told the Daily Telegraph.
"You can't only depend on one or two players. When they're having an off-day, you need someone else."
Bergkamp said he expects Arsène Wenger to remain as Arsenal manager for some time yet, despite the club failing to win a trophy since 2005. "He can't just let go. He would think he hasn't finished there yet. He would want to finish on a high … so I think he will wait and push as hard as possible to achieve that before he leaves."

 

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[h=1]Arsenal too predictable and need 'English mentality' – Dennis Bergkamp[/h] • Bergkamp says team needs to be 'more diverse'
• Expects Wenger to stay due to unfinished business

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• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 February 2012 01.08 GMT
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Dennis Bergkamp won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during his 11 years at Arsenal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Dennis Bergkamp believes the current Arsenal team are too predictable and need to develop "more of a winning mentality than a passing mentality".
"I'm not sure Arsenal have enough of that in their players, when the attitude becomes more important than the ability just to pass the ball," he said. "I don't know if the English mentality is missing a little bit. Sometimes I see their games and it's always the same way of playing, a bit too predictable."
The Dutchman, who won three Premier League titles in his 11 years at the London club, said there seem to be too many players of the same type in the Gunners line-up.
"It needs to be more diverse. You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches. You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I don't feel there are enough of them," Bergkamp told the Daily Telegraph.
"You can't only depend on one or two players. When they're having an off-day, you need someone else."
Bergkamp said he expects Arsène Wenger to remain as Arsenal manager for some time yet, despite the club failing to win a trophy since 2005. "He can't just let go. He would think he hasn't finished there yet. He would want to finish on a high … so I think he will wait and push as hard as possible to achieve that before he leaves."

 

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[h=1]André Villas-Boas undermined by José Mourinho texts, says Porto president[/h] • Porto president claims Mourinho still texts Chelsea's players
• Backs Villas-Boas to be a success despite growing pressure

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• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 February 2012 01.39 GMT
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André Villas-Boas is being undermined by José Mourinho, according to Porto's president. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

André Villas-Boas's attempt to rescue Chelsea's season is being sabotaged by José Mourinho's continued contact with his former players, according to the president of Porto.
Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, who gave Mourinho and Villas-Boas their big breaks in management, claimed the latter could not succeed at Stamford Bridge unless Mourinho cut all ties with the squad.
Pinto da Costa told La Gazzetta dello Sport of Villas-Boas: "He will be successful with Chelsea because his contract isn't just for one year.
"He needs time to mould his own team and he can't do that as long as there are players, as I've heard, who exchange text messages with Mourinho. And [Roman] Abramovich knows this."
Despite Villas-Boas's record as Chelsea manager being worse than any of his predecessors since Abramovich became the owner, the club have repeatedly insisted his job is not on the line.
Pinto da Costa said: "The only thing that will topple Villas-Boas is if he fails to qualify for the Champions League."
The Porto president believes Villas-Boas's future prospects would not be damaged by the sack. He said: "If he leaves Chelsea, he'll be the next coach of Inter."

 

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[h=2]Ajax v Manchester United, Europa League, 6pm Thursday 16 February[/h] [h=1]Manchester United will play strongest team in Europa League - Ferguson[/h] • Patrice Evra left out of Ajax game after tough weekend
• United take return to Europe's second tier seriously

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• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 February 2012 20.47 GMT
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Sir Alex Ferguson, left, chats with the former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar before his team trained in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday's game against Ajax. Photograph: Olaf Kraak/EPA

It is a grand European occasion in name only. Ajax against Manchester United in the imposing Amsterdam ArenA, four European Cups against three, 30 league titles against 19, one fertile breeding ground for homegrown talent against another and two legendary club figures in the respective dug-outs. Then the music starts and United's players will resemble aged clubbers on a rare night out, shuffling uncomfortably and muttering, "I don't know this one". Welcome to the Europa League.
For the first time since losing to Rotor Volgograd on away goals in the first round of the 1995-96 Uefa Cup, European football's second tier is home for United following failure to finish above Benfica and Basel in their Champions League group. Sir Alex Ferguson left Amsterdam vowing never to return on his last visit with United six years ago, or to the pre-season tournament that bears its name at least, after Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes were reported to the Football Association for red cards in a friendly against Porto (the former for an elbow on Pepe, now of Real Madrid) and served with three-match domestic suspensions. If it pains him to be back while the Champions League goes on without the finalists in three of the past four seasons, Ferguson is disguising it well.
Asked how it felt to be present in the Europa League, the United manager said: "I feel good about it. It's a tournament we are going to try to win. We have a responsibility to do better after the disappointment of earlier in the season. We have an opportunity to do better and, when you look at the Europa League, it's a challenge. The disappointment of the Champions League is gone. We have many young players who don't have great experience of Europe so that should be enough motivation for them. The final is in Romania, I want to be there, so do my supporters and I won't find motivation difficult."
Complacency undoubtedly played a part in United's exit from the Champions League group stage and not only in the form of talking up their prospects of beating Barcelona before the competition had commenced. As Ferguson volunteered, it was also evident in his team selections.
He said: "I will certainly try to play my strongest team in each round now. I think we were depending on our previous form in group stages in the Champions League this year. We were making changes each year and it was working fine for us because our home record was so good. But we threw it away against Basel in the home game and were unlucky against Benfica. That caught us short, to be honest with you, and we suffered for it."
Patrice Evra has been left behind in Manchester, however, as a consequence of his confrontation with Liverpool, and in particular Luis Suárez, on Saturday. "We have rested Patrice because I think it was an emotional weekend for him and it was the right thing to do," his manager said.
United's fall from European grace is relative, of course. Compared with Ajax, who have not reached the quarter-finals of any European competition since 2003 and remain distracted by Johan Cruyff's legal dispute with the board over their proposed appointment of Louis van Gaal as chief executive, this season's European campaign appears a mere detour.
There was audible disapproval when Frank de Boer, the Ajax coach, said his coveted Danish midfielder, Christian Eriksen, could "play for a big team like Manchester United in the future". De Boer was asked how sad it was that Ajax could not be mentioned in such terms.
"You just have to look at the facts," he replied. "Look at the difference in turnover between the clubs and the difference in revenue from TV contracts there is between England and the Netherlands.We lose our big players now to the bigger leagues around the age of 23. I left here at 28. I would tell any player here that it is better to stay until you are 25 years old because you learn a lot about football and you are a more stable player who is able to play in the bigger leagues. We have a very talented youth department, though, and the way we develop players gives me a good feeling for the future."
Ajax (4-2-3-1, probable): Vermeer; Anita, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Boilesen; Eriksen, Aissati; Sulejmani, De Jong, Ebecilio; Bulykin.
Manchester United (4-3-2-1, probable): De Gea; R da Silva, Evans, Ferdinand, F da Silva; Cleverley, Scholes, Carrick; Welbeck, Young; Rooney.
Referee G Rocchi (Italy).
TV: Channel 5, kick-off 6pm

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=2]Ajax v Manchester United, Europa League, 6pm Thursday 16 February[/h] [h=1]Manchester United will play strongest team in Europa League - Ferguson[/h] • Patrice Evra left out of Ajax game after tough weekend
• United take return to Europe's second tier seriously

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• Andy Hunter in Amsterdam
  
• guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 February 2012 20.47 GMT
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Sir Alex Ferguson, left, chats with the former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar before his team trained in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday's game against Ajax. Photograph: Olaf Kraak/EPA

It is a grand European occasion in name only. Ajax against Manchester United in the imposing Amsterdam ArenA, four European Cups against three, 30 league titles against 19, one fertile breeding ground for homegrown talent against another and two legendary club figures in the respective dug-outs. Then the music starts and United's players will resemble aged clubbers on a rare night out, shuffling uncomfortably and muttering, "I don't know this one". Welcome to the Europa League.
For the first time since losing to Rotor Volgograd on away goals in the first round of the 1995-96 Uefa Cup, European football's second tier is home for United following failure to finish above Benfica and Basel in their Champions League group. Sir Alex Ferguson left Amsterdam vowing never to return on his last visit with United six years ago, or to the pre-season tournament that bears its name at least, after Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes were reported to the Football Association for red cards in a friendly against Porto (the former for an elbow on Pepe, now of Real Madrid) and served with three-match domestic suspensions. If it pains him to be back while the Champions League goes on without the finalists in three of the past four seasons, Ferguson is disguising it well.
Asked how it felt to be present in the Europa League, the United manager said: "I feel good about it. It's a tournament we are going to try to win. We have a responsibility to do better after the disappointment of earlier in the season. We have an opportunity to do better and, when you look at the Europa League, it's a challenge. The disappointment of the Champions League is gone. We have many young players who don't have great experience of Europe so that should be enough motivation for them. The final is in Romania, I want to be there, so do my supporters and I won't find motivation difficult."
Complacency undoubtedly played a part in United's exit from the Champions League group stage and not only in the form of talking up their prospects of beating Barcelona before the competition had commenced. As Ferguson volunteered, it was also evident in his team selections.
He said: "I will certainly try to play my strongest team in each round now. I think we were depending on our previous form in group stages in the Champions League this year. We were making changes each year and it was working fine for us because our home record was so good. But we threw it away against Basel in the home game and were unlucky against Benfica. That caught us short, to be honest with you, and we suffered for it."
Patrice Evra has been left behind in Manchester, however, as a consequence of his confrontation with Liverpool, and in particular Luis Suárez, on Saturday. "We have rested Patrice because I think it was an emotional weekend for him and it was the right thing to do," his manager said.
United's fall from European grace is relative, of course. Compared with Ajax, who have not reached the quarter-finals of any European competition since 2003 and remain distracted by Johan Cruyff's legal dispute with the board over their proposed appointment of Louis van Gaal as chief executive, this season's European campaign appears a mere detour.
There was audible disapproval when Frank de Boer, the Ajax coach, said his coveted Danish midfielder, Christian Eriksen, could "play for a big team like Manchester United in the future". De Boer was asked how sad it was that Ajax could not be mentioned in such terms.
"You just have to look at the facts," he replied. "Look at the difference in turnover between the clubs and the difference in revenue from TV contracts there is between England and the Netherlands.We lose our big players now to the bigger leagues around the age of 23. I left here at 28. I would tell any player here that it is better to stay until you are 25 years old because you learn a lot about football and you are a more stable player who is able to play in the bigger leagues. We have a very talented youth department, though, and the way we develop players gives me a good feeling for the future."
Ajax (4-2-3-1, probable): Vermeer; Anita, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Boilesen; Eriksen, Aissati; Sulejmani, De Jong, Ebecilio; Bulykin.
Manchester United (4-3-2-1, probable): De Gea; R da Silva, Evans, Ferdinand, F da Silva; Cleverley, Scholes, Carrick; Welbeck, Young; Rooney.
Referee G Rocchi (Italy).
TV: Channel 5, kick-off 6pm

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Arsène Wenger slams shocking Arsenal display after Milan 'disaster'[/h] • 'It is our worst night in Europe,' manager says of 4-0 defeat
• Patrick Vieira blames lack of on-pitch leadership

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• David Hytner at San Siro
  
• The Guardian, Thursday 16 February 2012
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Arsène Wenger admitted the defeat by Milan had all but ended Arsenal's hopes in the Champions League and they must now concentrate on the FA Cup visit to Sunderland on Saturday. Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Arsène Wenger tore into his Arsenal players for a "shocking result and a shocking performance" as he attempted to make sense of Arsenal's heaviest European defeat. The manager cut an infuriated figure after the 4-0 defeat by Milan in the Champions League last-16 first leg, which he admitted had all but ended his club's hopes of progress in the competition.
It was difficult to remember him being more scathing of his players. "It was one of those nights you never forget," he said. "It is our worst night in Europe. We were punished and deservedly so. I felt we were never in the game, we were very poor offensively and defensively. It was shocking to see how we were beaten everywhere.
"There was not one moment in the 90 minutes where we were really in the game. What made it worse was that we had to chase the game. It was always the same problem, balls over the top and we were well beaten. It is difficult to analyse. I think it is better not to talk too much …and to analyse with a cooler head and regroup for the next game."
Arsenal visit Sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, when Wenger will make changes to his team, but the deeper fear is that this display not only exposed the flaws in the squad but will undermine morale for the battle to finish fourth in the Premier League. It was not difficult to pick holes but the absence of leadership was once again highlighted.
"There was a lack of leadership," wrote the club's former captain, Patrick Vieira, on Twitter. "You cannot only blame Arsène, the players must take some responsibility as well."
Wenger said: "There is a danger [that this will have an effect on the Premier League]. A big disappointment like that has consequences on your belief. We have a lot of work to regroup and not a lot of time to prepare for Saturday's game. We need to show something completely difference on Saturday.
"We will focus on our next games. The result is a disaster, although the season is not finished. We have a big game on Saturday and it's an opportunity to show that we have character and mental strength, and that we can respond after such a shocking defeat."
Wenger was asked whether he felt his players had let him down. "They did not let me down, I think we let our ambitions down as a unit," he said. "You could blame and blame. We have to stick together and win the next game.
"The players were very ambitious in this Champions League. They are the first to be very sad. We felt powerless today to get into the game.
"I cannot say that I got everything perfect when we lost 4-0. I don't believe we made big tactical mistakes. We did not have any other choices. I felt we were weak in some departments. I felt we could have some problems in some departments but I didn't think we would not score."
The condition of the relaid San Siro turf was widely condemned, although Wenger did not seek to use it as an excuse. "It would not be fair to blame the pitch, even if the pitch is a disaster," he said. "Our performance was at the level of the pitch. It was a shocking result and a shocking performance.
"Let's be realistic. We don't play in a dream world. Maybe we have 2% or 5% statistically [to advance].
"We have to show a completely different performance and you never know. But, you have to say, realistically, we are out of the competition."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Arsène Wenger slams shocking Arsenal display after Milan 'disaster'[/h] • 'It is our worst night in Europe,' manager says of 4-0 defeat
• Patrick Vieira blames lack of on-pitch leadership

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• David Hytner at San Siro
  
• The Guardian, Thursday 16 February 2012
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Arsène Wenger admitted the defeat by Milan had all but ended Arsenal's hopes in the Champions League and they must now concentrate on the FA Cup visit to Sunderland on Saturday. Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Arsène Wenger tore into his Arsenal players for a "shocking result and a shocking performance" as he attempted to make sense of Arsenal's heaviest European defeat. The manager cut an infuriated figure after the 4-0 defeat by Milan in the Champions League last-16 first leg, which he admitted had all but ended his club's hopes of progress in the competition.
It was difficult to remember him being more scathing of his players. "It was one of those nights you never forget," he said. "It is our worst night in Europe. We were punished and deservedly so. I felt we were never in the game, we were very poor offensively and defensively. It was shocking to see how we were beaten everywhere.
"There was not one moment in the 90 minutes where we were really in the game. What made it worse was that we had to chase the game. It was always the same problem, balls over the top and we were well beaten. It is difficult to analyse. I think it is better not to talk too much …and to analyse with a cooler head and regroup for the next game."
Arsenal visit Sunderland in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, when Wenger will make changes to his team, but the deeper fear is that this display not only exposed the flaws in the squad but will undermine morale for the battle to finish fourth in the Premier League. It was not difficult to pick holes but the absence of leadership was once again highlighted.
"There was a lack of leadership," wrote the club's former captain, Patrick Vieira, on Twitter. "You cannot only blame Arsène, the players must take some responsibility as well."
Wenger said: "There is a danger [that this will have an effect on the Premier League]. A big disappointment like that has consequences on your belief. We have a lot of work to regroup and not a lot of time to prepare for Saturday's game. We need to show something completely difference on Saturday.
"We will focus on our next games. The result is a disaster, although the season is not finished. We have a big game on Saturday and it's an opportunity to show that we have character and mental strength, and that we can respond after such a shocking defeat."
Wenger was asked whether he felt his players had let him down. "They did not let me down, I think we let our ambitions down as a unit," he said. "You could blame and blame. We have to stick together and win the next game.
"The players were very ambitious in this Champions League. They are the first to be very sad. We felt powerless today to get into the game.
"I cannot say that I got everything perfect when we lost 4-0. I don't believe we made big tactical mistakes. We did not have any other choices. I felt we were weak in some departments. I felt we could have some problems in some departments but I didn't think we would not score."
The condition of the relaid San Siro turf was widely condemned, although Wenger did not seek to use it as an excuse. "It would not be fair to blame the pitch, even if the pitch is a disaster," he said. "Our performance was at the level of the pitch. It was a shocking result and a shocking performance.
"Let's be realistic. We don't play in a dream world. Maybe we have 2% or 5% statistically [to advance].
"We have to show a completely different performance and you never know. But, you have to say, realistically, we are out of the competition."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes back to haunt Arsenal on a painful night[/h] The Gunners were cruelly exposed by a player Arsène Wenger nearly signed 12 years ago who is now excelling for Milan

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• • Richard Williams at San Siro
    
  • The Guardian, Thursday 16 February 2012
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Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny and Thomas Vermaelen contemplate life after conceding a goal to Robinho of Milan. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

Arsène Wenger called it his club's worst night in European competition, a 4-0 defeat devised and concluded by a player he might once have signed. Now Zlatan Ibrahimovic came back to haunt the north London club, dismantling Wenger's defence time and again before finishing them off from the penalty spot.
This was a display that underlined the painful truth of the 17 points separating Wenger's team from the Premier League leaders and revealed how much work remains to be done before claims of a revival can be made with any confidence. Against opponents as experienced as Milan they have only an infinitesimal chance of redeeming themselves at the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight and making further progress in this season's Champions League.
It is a virtual certainty, then, that they will be playing in Europe's top competition next season only if they succeed in finishing in the top four of the league. Based on the way they played last night, any assessment of that prospect would have to be deeply pessimistic. The financial consequences would be grave and criticism of Wenger's recent record – muted by signs of recovery in the past couple of weeks – would become more strident.
After inspecting the San Siro pitch, with its strips of recently relaid turf down both flanks, Wenger criticised the surface on the eve of the match. He returned to the subject in the aftermath of defeat, but from a different perspective. "It wouldn't be fair for me to blame the pitch, even if it was disastrous," he said. "Our performance was the same level as the pitch."
Milan's players could be seen replacing divots even during the warm-up but they adapted far more convincingly to the conditions – and one man in particular did so. A dozen years ago Wenger showed an interest in a gawky teenage striker who travelled from Sweden to London to meet the Arsenal manager but was unimpressed by the Frenchman's request to take part in a trial. When Ibrahimovic eventually left Malmo, it was for Ajax. Two years ago he returned to score twice for Barcelona at the Emirates and on Wednesday night, wearing the red and black stripes of Milan, he redoubled the pain despite scoring only once.
Never again will English critics be entitled to cast aspersions on Ibrahimovic's ability to perform on a big occasion. Ineffective as he may have been in November's friendly against Fabio Capello's side at Wembley, on Wednesday night he teased Arsenal to distraction. Had his team-mates capitalised on even half his promptings, the margin of victory would have been doubled.
Arsenal's supporters would have been glimpsing hope in the sight of a team sheet containing a recognisable line-up of defenders but it took only a quarter of an hour for Milan to puncture their optimism. Kevin-Prince Boateng located a fissure between the centre-backs and sent a powerful volley dipping under the crossbar.
Until then Arsenal's rearguard had just about coped with the task of smothering Milan's deliberate approach play, even when their own team-mates played them into danger. Although travelling to Milan still beset by the absence of important players, Wenger was able to field his first-choice back four for the first time in six months. Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Kieran Gibbs started the opening match of the Premier League campaign, at Newcastle United, and were reassembled for the Champions League play-off tie against Udinese at home on 12 August, keeping clean sheets on both occasions. Until last night that was the sum total of their contribution to the season as a unit but their reunion was not to be a happy one.
They may have been encouraged by the sight of Clarence Seedorf disappearing down the tunnel after only 12 minutes with what appeared to be a muscle strain. Uniquely distinguished as a four-times winner of the European Cup with three different clubs, the 35-year-old began the match in his customary unruffled fashion, easing himself into relevant positions as he established a rhythm for his colleagues. His departure, it seemed, could only be good news. Any such comfort, however, proved illusory. First came Milan's opening goal, followed in the 38th minute by another blow. Ibrahimovic drifted lazily past Sagna down the left and rolled the ball casually with his studs before clipping in a centre from the byline that Robinho headed past Wojciech Szczesny with as much effort as he might have expended on lighting a cigarette.
It was 20 years ago that Vanessa Redgrave, taken by her Italian ex-husband to see Milan beat Gothenburg 4-0 with Marco van Basten scoring all four, likened a big European occasion at San Siro to a first night at La Scala. The stadium had not exactly been rocking as the match began, an attendance of 64,000 leaving large tracts of empty seating in the stalls and upper circle, suggesting either the effects of a 30% unemployment rate among young Italians or a certain blasé attitude among the supporters of a club whose seven victories put them second only to Real Madrid's nine. But the tangible evidence of Milan's superiority over the representatives of English football as defined by the second-half goals for Robinho and Ibrahimovic got the songs going and the flags waving, with the Arsenal contingent reduced to silent contemplation of an uncertain future.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Five talking points from Milan's 4-0 defeat of Arsenal[/h] Arsenal were able to pick their strongest back four at last but the reunion fell flat in an abject, ragged performance

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  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 February 2012 22.01 GMT
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Thomas Vermaelen fights for the ball with Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng. Vermaelen slipped on more than one occastion. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters

[h=2]It felt like a humiliation for Arsenal[/h]It was almost a year ago to the day that Arsenal beat Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium, a result that Arsène Wenger rates among the finest of his career. This was one of the ugliest and it served as a shuddering check to the momentum that he felt his team had built over the previous four games. This was Arsenal's Mr Hyde side. Defensively abject, they were led a less-than-merry dance by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also ended his hoodoo of failing to score for Italian clubs in Champions League knockout ties. Milan played very well, as they sought revenge for the last-16 miseries visited upon them in recent years by Premier League clubs, but it was hard to spare Arsenal from stinging criticism. Their passing lacked accuracy and tempo, while there were smears for many reputations. The fight for the right to re-enter next season's Champions League felt a little pointless after this.
[h=2]Arsenal defensive reunion falls flat[/h]Wenger was finally able to start his strongest back four (although the injured Brazil left-back André Santos may argue with this contention). Only in the season's first two fixtures had the manager been able to pick the quartet and there was cruelty, if not the sense of inevitability, that they lasted only 44 minutes together, Laurent Koscielny's enforced withdrawal with a knee injury creating yet more work for the club's medical staff. Wenger could rage at his defence, before and after Koscielny's withdrawal for the clumsy Johan Djourou; there was a ragged feel to them, a lack of tightness about their marking and positional play. Milan exposed their flimsy attempts to hold a line, with the excellent Ibrahimovic gliding away to create his team's second, and it was uncomfortable to witness the space that Milan repeatedly found in the final third. Thomas Vermaelen, in particular, will not want to remember the tie. He slipped on more than one occasion and was made to pay on Robinho's second goal.
[h=2]The pitch did not fit the occasion[/h]The state of the San Siro turf is not a new concern. Since the third tier of this imposing arena was added for Italia 90, affecting the light on the turf, re-lays have been the norm. But Arsenal privately wondered why one of them had to come on Monday morning, a little over 48 hours before one of the season's biggest games. Their fear that a Machiavellian hand was at work was reinforced by the fact that only the wings had been returfed, the areas where Arsenal like to attack at pace. Did it influence Wenger's decision to leave Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench? The manager had voiced his grievances on Tuesday night, describing the pitch as "worrying" and "terrible". That Uefa had to pass it as playable after the heavy rollers had departed at 9am on Tuesday told its own story. It was inevitable that the surface would cut up. It was a blot on the spectacle.
[h=2]Adieu Thierry[/h]Barring a third coming, this was Thierry Henry's farewell to the Arsenal shirt; Wenger was unable to secure the 10-day extension to the loan from the New York Red Bulls and the club legend heads back to the States on Thursday. This was not how Henry wanted to sign off from an encouraging spell, marked by important goals and charisma in the dressing-room. Never mind his limited impact as a half-time substitute here, the result would have cut him to the core. There was to be no fairytale. His Arsenal goals' tally stays at 229. But the question about the cover for Robin van Persie remains. Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-young, Wenger's back-up centre-forwards, were fit but neither travelled to Milan. Although Gervinho, who is predominantly a winger, should be available for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Sunderland, after the Africa Cup of Nations, an injury to Van Persie does not bear thinking about.
[h=2]Boateng's not bad for a Spurs reject[/h]Kevin-Prince Boateng was not supposed to feature here. The attacking midfielder had been struggling with a series of muscular injuries which, according to his girlfriend, was a result of them having sex "seven to 10 times a week". It was fair to assume that he was on a promise after this game, following his sensational opening goal, which showcased beautiful technique and embellished a performance that radiated menace. Yes, Tottenham fans, this really is the same Kevin-Prince Boateng who flattered to deceive, to put it mildly, after his £5m transfer to White Hart Lane. The Ghana international featured in one of the game's urban myths during his time in the wilderness at Spurs; he was said to have played some seven-a-side football in Essex with mere civilians. The story goes that he was incredible. Arsenal are now fully acquainted with his threat.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Fergie tells Scholes to snub England[/h] Published 22:32 15/02/12 By David McDonnell in Amsterdam

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Sir Alex Ferguson has told Paul Scholes to stick to his guns over his international retirement and reject requests to play for England again.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, the hot favourite for the now-vacant England job, said he would be keen for Scholes - who last appeared for his country in 2004 - to come back for Euro 2012.
But Manchester United boss Fergie has warned the 37-year-old Old Trafford - who was tempted to return for the 2010 World Cup - it would be the wrong decision to go back.
Asked if Scholes could have Three Lions on his chest again in the summer, the Scot said: "Do you really, honestly believe that? I don't think there's any chance of that.

"It's too big a step to go back to England.
"I think his reason for refusing last time [the World Cup] was that it was late in the day and he it was only fair to the players who had got England there to be involved.
"Two years on, to go back again, I think Paul will be concentrating [on United] if he decides to go on of course. But we've not spoken about that."
Ferguson has hailed the return of Scholes, following his decision to come out of retirement last month, as a huge plus for United.
"It's like Barcelona talking about Xavi in the way we talk about Scholes," said Ferguson.
"I said to Paul [at the end of last season] he could play [just] 25 to 30 games and he said, 'It's not enough for me.'
"He decided to retire [rather than go] from a top player playing all the time to 25 to 30 games.
"I was being sensible about that because he was approaching 37, and for a midfielder to do it at that age is very difficult.
"I was perfectly honest with Paul because that was the future. But when he decided to come back I was delighted. I saw no negatives at all.
"He started training very hard in the couple of months before he came to see me [about returning] and obviously realised he'd made a mistake.
"He's come back refreshed and enthusiastic, his normal self.
"It's an amazing turnabout for us in the sense of the order and class he brings to the team. It's hard to describe it."
Scholes won 66 caps for England before retiring in the wake of Euro 2004.
He was disillusioned with his role in the national team and sick of being away from his family for long periods of time.
Only last month however, following his decision to come out of retirement at club level, Scholes refused to rule out making it a double comeback at the Euros.
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[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Ref Attwell relegated from Premier League[/h] Published 22:31 15/02/12 By Alan Nixon

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...y-for-an-unspecified-time-article865866.html#

Young ref Stuart Attwell has been dropped from the Premier League’s elite list - after a nightmare run of mistakes.
The official will spend an unspecified time in the lower divisions following a review of his performances as his fast-tracked career comes to a halt.
Attwell, just 29, has had some high-profile slips since being put on the list a couple of years ago and has not had a top-flight match since New Year’s Day.
The move is by ‘mutual consent’, but Attwell came under heavy criticism for red card decisions this season - and was also infamous for the phantom goal he gave in the Watford-Reading game in 2008 during his rise.

Last December, Attwell sent off Gary Cahill, then of Bolton, for fouling Scott Parker only yards over the halfway line, saying he had denied the Tottenham player a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The red card was overturned on appeal.
The Warwickshire whistler was also on UEFA duty this season, with his most recent match at that level littered with 10 bookings.
In a statement, Professional Game Match Officials Limited general manager Mike Riley backed Attwell to improve as a referee and return to the top level.
"Throughout his career in the Select Group Stuart has demonstrated great courage and mental strength in responding to the challenges that he has faced," Riley said.
"He has shown many of the attributes of a top flight official but the Premier League is an exacting standard with huge demands. It is imperative that PGMOL deliver the best officiating possible to the English game at all levels.
"This is not the end for Stuart. There are several match officials who have returned to the National List and benefited from it.
"Stuart has a high level of maturity and responsibility and I'm convinced that he has a long-term future as a referee at the very highest level.
"PGMOL sincerely hopes to be welcoming Stuart back to the Select Group in the future."
Attwell said: "I have learned a great deal from my involvement in the Select Group over the last four years and I am now looking forward to building on that valuable experience.
"I strongly believe I have a lot to offer refereeing, and I now look forward with commitment and enthusiasm to the new challenge that I am undertaking.
"This is supported by a determination to continue my career development, and return to the Select Group as soon as possible."

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