The Football Association have cleared Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant Carlos Queiroz of an improper conduct charge.
The charge related to comments made following United's FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth on March 8.
Ferguson's charge concerned comments about referee Martin Atkinson and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) general manager Keith Hackett.
Queiroz's charge related to comments about Atkinson.
Speaking after Sulley Muntari's penalty gave Pompey a shock victory at Old Trafford, Ferguson felt his side had earlier had a blatant spot-kick denied when Cristiano Ronaldo was blocked by Sylvain Distin.
"It's absolutely ridiculous," Ferguson said. "I cannot explain it. Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week."
He added: "He (Hackett) is not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed.
"I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance today should not be accepted by our game."
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Roberto Mancini's has received no contact from Chelsea
Roberto Mancini's advisor insists he has received no contact from Chelsea about his client becoming Avram Grant's successor at Stamford Bridge
Mancini left Serie A champions Inter on Wednesday and has been strongly linked with the vacant post at Stamford Bridge.
However, with the dust still settling on his departure, Maurizio de Giorgis has made it clear that no decision regarding his future has yet been made.
"He had a meeting with the president (Massimo Moratti) and they decided not to continue with him, as of yesterday Roberto Mancini is not the coach of Inter Milan anymore," the Italian's advisor told Sky Sports News.
"He is very disappointed of course, he was not expecting that to happen, but in football things can happen quickly and unexpectedly and this is one of those occasions.
"As of now there is no contact with Chelsea. Roberto Mancini is not a person or coach who likes to propose himself to a club, he waits for a club to look after him so we are in that position right now. We are not proposing Mancini to any club.
"It's a natural consequence of what has happened. Chelsea are one of the top five clubs in the world so it is more likely, if there will be any talk, there is more chances of it to happen now than before.
"There are chances but at the moment, as of today, there has been no official contact with Chelsea or any other team."
Chelsea's ongoing search for a replacement for Grant is now concentrating on Mancini, Mark Hughes and Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Their interest is believed to have cooled on former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard while Russia coach Guus Hiddink has already ruled himself out of the running.
Former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps insists he is on the shortlist but the Blues, as expected, have made no official comment.
The interest in Hughes, a former Blues player, was greeted with approval by fans on Chelsea TV but Mancini's CV ticks all the major boxes for the English club.
Mancini's replacement at Inter Milan is expected to be Chelsea's former coach Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One' is expected to be unveiled in Milan on Friday and given a three-year deal.
Mancini left Serie A champions Inter on Wednesday and has been strongly linked with the vacant post at Stamford Bridge.
However, with the dust still settling on his departure, Maurizio de Giorgis has made it clear that no decision regarding his future has yet been made.
"He had a meeting with the president (Massimo Moratti) and they decided not to continue with him, as of yesterday Roberto Mancini is not the coach of Inter Milan anymore," the Italian's advisor told Sky Sports News.
"He is very disappointed of course, he was not expecting that to happen, but in football things can happen quickly and unexpectedly and this is one of those occasions.
"As of now there is no contact with Chelsea. Roberto Mancini is not a person or coach who likes to propose himself to a club, he waits for a club to look after him so we are in that position right now. We are not proposing Mancini to any club.
"It's a natural consequence of what has happened. Chelsea are one of the top five clubs in the world so it is more likely, if there will be any talk, there is more chances of it to happen now than before.
"There are chances but at the moment, as of today, there has been no official contact with Chelsea or any other team."
Chelsea's ongoing search for a replacement for Grant is now concentrating on Mancini, Mark Hughes and Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Their interest is believed to have cooled on former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard while Russia coach Guus Hiddink has already ruled himself out of the running.
Former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps insists he is on the shortlist but the Blues, as expected, have made no official comment.
The interest in Hughes, a former Blues player, was greeted with approval by fans on Chelsea TV but Mancini's CV ticks all the major boxes for the English club.
Mancini's replacement at Inter Milan is expected to be Chelsea's former coach Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One' is expected to be unveiled in Milan on Friday and given a three-year deal.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Ronaldo Will Be Better Next Season
Manchester United star Ronaldo has heralded the past season as "spectacular" but warned his opponents he can still be even better.
The winger scored 42 goals in all competitions for United in a stunning campaign which yielded the Premier League crown and the Champions League title, and he has taken George Best's mantle as the most prolific midfielder in the club's history.
"Every season at Manchester United I have improved," said Ronaldo.
"The season was spectacular and I scored many goals on the way to winning two important titles for the club.
"Next year I'm going to try and play even better and have an even better season than this one.
"I played a spectacular championship, a good Champions League and I am very happy with everything. It was my first European title and I want to win it many more times because the feeling is amazing."
Speculation that the 23-year-old is poised to join Spanish giants Real Madrid has been rife all week but Ronaldo has reiterated his desire to remain at Old Trafford for the immediate future and insists he is now only focused on representing Portugal at Euro 2008 next month.
"I have a contract with Manchester United and at the moment I am only thinking about having a successful European Championship," he said.
Ronaldo admitted feeling jaded after arriving in Portugal on Friday to join up with the national squad following prolonged celebrations in Moscow, but is looking forward to continuing his superb form on the international stage.
"I feel a little tired today (Friday) but I am going to have a rest in order to be ready for the Euros," he told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
"I'm going to arrive there in form and anything is possible."
The winger scored 42 goals in all competitions for United in a stunning campaign which yielded the Premier League crown and the Champions League title, and he has taken George Best's mantle as the most prolific midfielder in the club's history.
"Every season at Manchester United I have improved," said Ronaldo.
"The season was spectacular and I scored many goals on the way to winning two important titles for the club.
"Next year I'm going to try and play even better and have an even better season than this one.
"I played a spectacular championship, a good Champions League and I am very happy with everything. It was my first European title and I want to win it many more times because the feeling is amazing."
Speculation that the 23-year-old is poised to join Spanish giants Real Madrid has been rife all week but Ronaldo has reiterated his desire to remain at Old Trafford for the immediate future and insists he is now only focused on representing Portugal at Euro 2008 next month.
"I have a contract with Manchester United and at the moment I am only thinking about having a successful European Championship," he said.
Ronaldo admitted feeling jaded after arriving in Portugal on Friday to join up with the national squad following prolonged celebrations in Moscow, but is looking forward to continuing his superb form on the international stage.
"I feel a little tired today (Friday) but I am going to have a rest in order to be ready for the Euros," he told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
"I'm going to arrive there in form and anything is possible."
Chelsea Wants Didier Drogba To Stay
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says the club will sit down with Didier Drogba to see if the striker wants to stay at Stamford Bridge
Drogba has been tipped to leave the Blues over the summer, with Milan confirming he is on their list of transfer targets.
The Ivory Coast ace was sent off in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in midweek, and Buck admits it was a 'silly' red card for the forward to pick up.
But Buck remains hopeful that Drogba will still be in West London next season and is planning to hold talks with the former Marseille man shortly.
''Didier is a superb player generally," Buck told Chelsea TV. "There have been some comments reported to be made by Didier over the last year that maybe he would like to leave Chelsea. On most occasions he has said that he has been misquoted.
"Now that the season is over, we have to sit down with him and see what the story is and what his future is. He is a great player, I hope he stays, but that is a decision the club and Didier will have to make collectively.
"This year he has had some niggling injuries, but we know he can change the course of a game, as he nearly did in Moscow.
"As I have said, he is a superb player, but if you are a world-class player, which he is, you have to avoid the silly red cards, the ones that come about over nothing - and I think Didier will be sorry that he got that red card."
Following Chelsea's failure to win a trophy this season, there have been widespread reports of a mass exodus from Stamford Bridge over the summer.
Buck expects Avram Grant's squad to be trimmed during the off-season, but he is not predicting wholesale changes of the playing staff.
He added: "We decided several months ago that our squad size is a few players too many. It is about 28 now and it should really be 22 plus three goalkeepers.
"So there is going to be some movement just to get the squad down to the size we think is optimum. In terms of other transfers generally, every year we want to tweak the squad a bit, so there will be some changes, but I don't expect there to be massive, wholesale changes."
Drogba has been tipped to leave the Blues over the summer, with Milan confirming he is on their list of transfer targets.
The Ivory Coast ace was sent off in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in midweek, and Buck admits it was a 'silly' red card for the forward to pick up.
But Buck remains hopeful that Drogba will still be in West London next season and is planning to hold talks with the former Marseille man shortly.
''Didier is a superb player generally," Buck told Chelsea TV. "There have been some comments reported to be made by Didier over the last year that maybe he would like to leave Chelsea. On most occasions he has said that he has been misquoted.
"Now that the season is over, we have to sit down with him and see what the story is and what his future is. He is a great player, I hope he stays, but that is a decision the club and Didier will have to make collectively.
"This year he has had some niggling injuries, but we know he can change the course of a game, as he nearly did in Moscow.
"As I have said, he is a superb player, but if you are a world-class player, which he is, you have to avoid the silly red cards, the ones that come about over nothing - and I think Didier will be sorry that he got that red card."
Following Chelsea's failure to win a trophy this season, there have been widespread reports of a mass exodus from Stamford Bridge over the summer.
Buck expects Avram Grant's squad to be trimmed during the off-season, but he is not predicting wholesale changes of the playing staff.
He added: "We decided several months ago that our squad size is a few players too many. It is about 28 now and it should really be 22 plus three goalkeepers.
"So there is going to be some movement just to get the squad down to the size we think is optimum. In terms of other transfers generally, every year we want to tweak the squad a bit, so there will be some changes, but I don't expect there to be massive, wholesale changes."
Monday, May 19, 2008
Daniel Alves Want To Taste Another League
Sevilla defender Daniel Alves has put a host of summer suitors on alert after announcing that he wants to leave the club as soon as possible.Speculation over Alves' future has been rife since he last year revealed his ambition to play for a top European club.
Barcelona, as well as English pair Chelsea and Liverpool, are reported to be interested in a summer swoop for the highly-rated right-back, who told Marca on Monday: "I want to leave now and I hope that everything is finished as soon as possible."
But Alves, who is contracted to Sevilla until 2012, added: "Although you never know. At the moment, I'm saying goodbye to everyone with a "see you later" because the holidays are just starting.
"We'll see if that goodbye becomes a more definite one. Still you just don't know what will happen."
Last week, the versatile defender told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo: "Barcelona is a great option I have and making a smart decision must be done with a cool head, never in the heat of the moment."
Barcelona, as well as English pair Chelsea and Liverpool, are reported to be interested in a summer swoop for the highly-rated right-back, who told Marca on Monday: "I want to leave now and I hope that everything is finished as soon as possible."
But Alves, who is contracted to Sevilla until 2012, added: "Although you never know. At the moment, I'm saying goodbye to everyone with a "see you later" because the holidays are just starting.
"We'll see if that goodbye becomes a more definite one. Still you just don't know what will happen."
Last week, the versatile defender told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo: "Barcelona is a great option I have and making a smart decision must be done with a cool head, never in the heat of the moment."
Chelsea:Avram Grant Give Blues Pass Mark
Chelsea coach Avram Grant insists his entire first-team squad should take a bow for a season that has exceeded all expectations.
Grant will send his side out to face Manchester United in the club's first Champions League final in Moscow on Wednesday night in the belief that their strength of character will enable them to come home as champions.
Chelsea defied all the odds to reach the final and run United right to the wire in the race for the Premier League title.
And it is the never-say-die attitude of his players that has filled Grant with confidence ahead of their showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
"When we have been beaten this season, you saw the character of the side," said Grant proudly. "When you are winning, everybody is a genius and everyone is the king, but when you have bad results you need to see how they will behave.
"We lost two games against Barnsley in the FA Cup and against Tottenham in the Carling Cup final and it was disappointing for us, but the reaction showed the strength of these players and this team.
"We didn't start well and then we began to play very well for a spell. Then some of then players who were playing very well - Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry and Petr Cech - got injured.
"So we needed to use all of the squad and it has been an amazing season because everyone has made some kind of contribution - everyone.
"We have to respect the squad players this season because their attitude was fantastic, and their football too."
Chelsea managed to reach the final of the Champions League after overcoming a drab 1-1 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge in what was former boss Jose Mourinho's last game.
But while Grant has been forced to juggle his squad throughout the season because of injuries and international call-ups in January's African Nations Cup, the 52-year-old Israeli insists he is almost 100% certain of the side he will select for Wednesday night's showdown with their English rivals.
Providing all his players are fit, it will be a simple job for Grant. The only position that may cause him problems is the left of midfield.
There it is a choice of Florent Malouda or Salomon Kalou but that dilemma apart, the team picks itself with Cech, Michael Essien, Carvalho, Terry, and Ashley Cole at the back, Lampard, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele in midfield plus Joe Cole on the right flank and Drogba in the centre.
"I know 80% of my team," said Grant. "But I like to keep watching them in training to see how they are doing."
The achievement of reaching the Champions League final, with all its financial benefits, is something that Grant admits seemed a long way off when he replaced Mourinho last September.
"In football you need to hope more than believe sometimes," he said. "I believed but it was more in hope than belief at first.
"I started as a new manager and we brought in new staff. Almost everybody except the medical department and Steve Clarke was new.
"Change takes time because we changed from one way of coaching to another. I think there were doubts but we believed that we could still do good things even though the situation was complicated."
Meanwhile, Chelsea's Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech claims "revenge" is on the agenda for the Blues when the face United.
United pipped Chelsea to the Premier League crown on the last day of the season, and when asked on the BBC's Inside Sport TV programme if the final was a chance for payback, Cech replied: "Some revenge.
"When you lose, you always feel disappointment and you have extra motivation to win the next game."
Grant will send his side out to face Manchester United in the club's first Champions League final in Moscow on Wednesday night in the belief that their strength of character will enable them to come home as champions.
Chelsea defied all the odds to reach the final and run United right to the wire in the race for the Premier League title.
And it is the never-say-die attitude of his players that has filled Grant with confidence ahead of their showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
"When we have been beaten this season, you saw the character of the side," said Grant proudly. "When you are winning, everybody is a genius and everyone is the king, but when you have bad results you need to see how they will behave.
"We lost two games against Barnsley in the FA Cup and against Tottenham in the Carling Cup final and it was disappointing for us, but the reaction showed the strength of these players and this team.
"We didn't start well and then we began to play very well for a spell. Then some of then players who were playing very well - Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry and Petr Cech - got injured.
"So we needed to use all of the squad and it has been an amazing season because everyone has made some kind of contribution - everyone.
"We have to respect the squad players this season because their attitude was fantastic, and their football too."
Chelsea managed to reach the final of the Champions League after overcoming a drab 1-1 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge in what was former boss Jose Mourinho's last game.
But while Grant has been forced to juggle his squad throughout the season because of injuries and international call-ups in January's African Nations Cup, the 52-year-old Israeli insists he is almost 100% certain of the side he will select for Wednesday night's showdown with their English rivals.
Providing all his players are fit, it will be a simple job for Grant. The only position that may cause him problems is the left of midfield.
There it is a choice of Florent Malouda or Salomon Kalou but that dilemma apart, the team picks itself with Cech, Michael Essien, Carvalho, Terry, and Ashley Cole at the back, Lampard, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele in midfield plus Joe Cole on the right flank and Drogba in the centre.
"I know 80% of my team," said Grant. "But I like to keep watching them in training to see how they are doing."
The achievement of reaching the Champions League final, with all its financial benefits, is something that Grant admits seemed a long way off when he replaced Mourinho last September.
"In football you need to hope more than believe sometimes," he said. "I believed but it was more in hope than belief at first.
"I started as a new manager and we brought in new staff. Almost everybody except the medical department and Steve Clarke was new.
"Change takes time because we changed from one way of coaching to another. I think there were doubts but we believed that we could still do good things even though the situation was complicated."
Meanwhile, Chelsea's Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech claims "revenge" is on the agenda for the Blues when the face United.
United pipped Chelsea to the Premier League crown on the last day of the season, and when asked on the BBC's Inside Sport TV programme if the final was a chance for payback, Cech replied: "Some revenge.
"When you lose, you always feel disappointment and you have extra motivation to win the next game."
English FA Wait To Act On Drogba Allegation
Didier Drogba could face an FA investigation into claims he deliberately got booked in order to manage the timing of his suspensions.
The FA have noted the Chelsea striker's comments from his forthcoming autobiography, which were printed in the News of the World on Sunday, with interest.
However, no action will be taken by the authorities until the book is published in England in July.
An FA spokesman said: "We would like to wait to see the comments in their full context before deciding on any further action."
The potential controversy surrounds the Ivorian's claim that he used to collude with former Blues manager Jose Mourinho and get himself yellow-carded at convenient times.
By doing so, the pair were able to ensure that the former Marseille frontman sat out pre-selected matches under the cumulative bookings system.
"Mourinho calculated everything - he looked at the match programme and analysed the cards each of his lads had received," Drogba said in his book.
"He sometimes whispered to me, 'It would be good for you to get a yellow card today. You would miss such-and-such a match. I will give you four free days.'
"No problem. I used to do as he said.
"That allowed me to pay myself a little trip to Dubai. It was a modern way of treating work and the individual."
Then England captain David Beckham got away with a slap on the wrist when he admitted to getting booked on purpose during a World Cup qualifier against Wales in October 2004.
Knowing he had just broken a rib and would not be able to play in a subsequent qualifier against Azerbaijan, Beckham fouled Ben Thatcher in a deliberate attempt to receive a yellow card and one-match ban.
The FA have noted the Chelsea striker's comments from his forthcoming autobiography, which were printed in the News of the World on Sunday, with interest.
However, no action will be taken by the authorities until the book is published in England in July.
An FA spokesman said: "We would like to wait to see the comments in their full context before deciding on any further action."
The potential controversy surrounds the Ivorian's claim that he used to collude with former Blues manager Jose Mourinho and get himself yellow-carded at convenient times.
By doing so, the pair were able to ensure that the former Marseille frontman sat out pre-selected matches under the cumulative bookings system.
"Mourinho calculated everything - he looked at the match programme and analysed the cards each of his lads had received," Drogba said in his book.
"He sometimes whispered to me, 'It would be good for you to get a yellow card today. You would miss such-and-such a match. I will give you four free days.'
"No problem. I used to do as he said.
"That allowed me to pay myself a little trip to Dubai. It was a modern way of treating work and the individual."
Then England captain David Beckham got away with a slap on the wrist when he admitted to getting booked on purpose during a World Cup qualifier against Wales in October 2004.
Knowing he had just broken a rib and would not be able to play in a subsequent qualifier against Azerbaijan, Beckham fouled Ben Thatcher in a deliberate attempt to receive a yellow card and one-match ban.
Super Eagles to assemble in Vienna Ahead Austria Clash
Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has ordered the Super Eagles to assemble in Vienna from Saturday May 24 for the friendly match against Austria three days later a football house source has disclosed to THISDAYSports.
The team would assemble in the Austrian capital from where they will move to Graz, the provincial capital of Styria for the match which holds at Graz UPC Arena at 8. 30 PM Nigerian time.
“We have asked the players to report first in Vienna from May 24. We expect all invited players to report latest by May 26. From here we will head for Graz” he disclosed.
The match is Shabu Amodu’s first game in charge of the Eagles since his return as the Eagles coach in April.
The Vienna camp is proposed to accommodate the early arrivals including the Eagles coaching crew and the accompaning officials who will take off in Lagos.
THISDAYSports learnt yesterday that Amodu who recently went to London on a familiarity mission with some of the key Eagles players is expecting them to keep to the deal he brokered with Nwankwo Kanu who assured that the players would turn up in time for the match and other national engagements under the new order.
Austria is hoping to use the Eagles challenge to shore up preparation for the European Championship they are hosting in the summer.
On the other hand, Amodu will use the match to put his wards in shape for a number of Nations Cup and World Cup 2010 qualifying matches the Eagles will be involved in the next two months.
The team would assemble in the Austrian capital from where they will move to Graz, the provincial capital of Styria for the match which holds at Graz UPC Arena at 8. 30 PM Nigerian time.
“We have asked the players to report first in Vienna from May 24. We expect all invited players to report latest by May 26. From here we will head for Graz” he disclosed.
The match is Shabu Amodu’s first game in charge of the Eagles since his return as the Eagles coach in April.
The Vienna camp is proposed to accommodate the early arrivals including the Eagles coaching crew and the accompaning officials who will take off in Lagos.
THISDAYSports learnt yesterday that Amodu who recently went to London on a familiarity mission with some of the key Eagles players is expecting them to keep to the deal he brokered with Nwankwo Kanu who assured that the players would turn up in time for the match and other national engagements under the new order.
Austria is hoping to use the Eagles challenge to shore up preparation for the European Championship they are hosting in the summer.
On the other hand, Amodu will use the match to put his wards in shape for a number of Nations Cup and World Cup 2010 qualifying matches the Eagles will be involved in the next two months.
Champions League :CManchester Plot Against Chelsea
Manchester United will meet Chelsea in the Champions League final, arguably the biggest game ever contested between two English clubs. We assess the individual contests which could decide the destiny of the trophy.
Ferdinand has matured into one of the world's best defenders, his pace, anticipation and aerial ability a match for even the great strikers. The lapses that characterised his early career have been all but eradicated, while he appears set to succeed Gary Neville as United captain.
But even Ferdinand might struggle to contain Drogba playing to the peak of his powers. Arguably, there is no more complete centre-forward on the planet, as the Ivorian demonstrated in the semi-final victory over Liverpool. The consistency of his finishing has come under scrutiny this season but only because he has dipped slightly below the incredible form of last term.
Already a Manchester United legend, Ronaldo may yet be talked about in the same breath as Pele and Maradona. A maestro with the ball at his feet and clinical in front of goal, he has been terrorising defenders all season. Worryingly for United's rivals, there is further improvement to come, with the Portugal winger sometimes prone to poor decision-making.
Cole is one of the few full-backs who can claim to have had the better of Ronaldo in the past. Indeed, prior to last season, there was no contest in their battles for both club and country, with Cole coming out on top on almost every occasion. Ronaldo has matured since and Cole will need to be at his very best to keep his rival at bay.
Rooney marries old-fashioned centre-forward play with the movement, touch and vision of the modern striker. He has proven as much as a talisman for United this season as he is for England. He is gradually losing his reputation for a suspect temperament, channelling his aggression in the right areas. He has also learned how to operate in a lone front man role having burst onto the scene as a deep lying forward.
Terry is a real defender's defender. The heart and soul of Chelsea, no-one will be more desperate than him to lift the club game's ultimate prize in Moscow. He leads both by word and deed and should he overcome his elbow injury he will hope his characteristic blood-and-thunder approach will be enough to contain Rooney.
Ferdinand has matured into one of the world's best defenders, his pace, anticipation and aerial ability a match for even the great strikers. The lapses that characterised his early career have been all but eradicated, while he appears set to succeed Gary Neville as United captain.
But even Ferdinand might struggle to contain Drogba playing to the peak of his powers. Arguably, there is no more complete centre-forward on the planet, as the Ivorian demonstrated in the semi-final victory over Liverpool. The consistency of his finishing has come under scrutiny this season but only because he has dipped slightly below the incredible form of last term.
Already a Manchester United legend, Ronaldo may yet be talked about in the same breath as Pele and Maradona. A maestro with the ball at his feet and clinical in front of goal, he has been terrorising defenders all season. Worryingly for United's rivals, there is further improvement to come, with the Portugal winger sometimes prone to poor decision-making.
Cole is one of the few full-backs who can claim to have had the better of Ronaldo in the past. Indeed, prior to last season, there was no contest in their battles for both club and country, with Cole coming out on top on almost every occasion. Ronaldo has matured since and Cole will need to be at his very best to keep his rival at bay.
Rooney marries old-fashioned centre-forward play with the movement, touch and vision of the modern striker. He has proven as much as a talisman for United this season as he is for England. He is gradually losing his reputation for a suspect temperament, channelling his aggression in the right areas. He has also learned how to operate in a lone front man role having burst onto the scene as a deep lying forward.
Terry is a real defender's defender. The heart and soul of Chelsea, no-one will be more desperate than him to lift the club game's ultimate prize in Moscow. He leads both by word and deed and should he overcome his elbow injury he will hope his characteristic blood-and-thunder approach will be enough to contain Rooney.
Kanu Wining Goal Help To Secure Contract Extension
Portsmouth’s FA Cup final hero Nwankwo Kanu has used Saturday’s Wembley victory to make a fresh case to be given a new contract extension by the South Coast outfit.
Speaking to SkySports soon after the game ended in front of a capacity crowd at the stadium, Kanu said he hoped his performance was good enough to convince Fratton Park officials to give him a new deal.
“I’m very happy for the club I hope the coach and the owner will be happy enough to give me a new contract,” Kanu told the station.
SkySports promptly sought a response from Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, who brushed aside the Nigerian international’s fears.
“He is already entitled to a new contract, he’s a great player and I love him,” a very delighted manager said of the ex-Arsenal star he gambled on two seasons ago.
Redknapp learnt of Kanu’s decision not to follow West Brom out of the Premiership and immediately offered him a life line. After talks lasting barely 48 hours, Redknapp made the former Inter star his last signing of the 2006/7 season to the surprise of many of his colleagues who felt the lanky player was past it.
But Kanu repaid his manager’s faith in him be emerging the team’s leading scorer in his first season and perhaps more importantly lasting the distance.
Although he has not been as productive this campaign, Kanu did score all the vital goals in Pompey’s march to the FA Cup.
He scored the lone goal in the 1-0 semi-final win over his former club West Brom and was also on target on Saturday in a game in which he had earlier struck the post.
For Kanu Saturday’s win was his 12th major honour further cementing his place in the books at the most trophy laden player to have come out of Africa.
During his long stint in Europe Kanu has won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax, in addition to three domestic Dutch titles, two Premiership and two FA Cups with Arsenal. In 2004 he lifted the FA Community Shield with the Gunners. He also won the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998. In all Kanu has amassed 13 major trophies, with the addition of Saturday’s win over Cardiff, when one adds his two African Footballer of the Year awards.
Speaking to SkySports soon after the game ended in front of a capacity crowd at the stadium, Kanu said he hoped his performance was good enough to convince Fratton Park officials to give him a new deal.
“I’m very happy for the club I hope the coach and the owner will be happy enough to give me a new contract,” Kanu told the station.
SkySports promptly sought a response from Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, who brushed aside the Nigerian international’s fears.
“He is already entitled to a new contract, he’s a great player and I love him,” a very delighted manager said of the ex-Arsenal star he gambled on two seasons ago.
Redknapp learnt of Kanu’s decision not to follow West Brom out of the Premiership and immediately offered him a life line. After talks lasting barely 48 hours, Redknapp made the former Inter star his last signing of the 2006/7 season to the surprise of many of his colleagues who felt the lanky player was past it.
But Kanu repaid his manager’s faith in him be emerging the team’s leading scorer in his first season and perhaps more importantly lasting the distance.
Although he has not been as productive this campaign, Kanu did score all the vital goals in Pompey’s march to the FA Cup.
He scored the lone goal in the 1-0 semi-final win over his former club West Brom and was also on target on Saturday in a game in which he had earlier struck the post.
For Kanu Saturday’s win was his 12th major honour further cementing his place in the books at the most trophy laden player to have come out of Africa.
During his long stint in Europe Kanu has won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax, in addition to three domestic Dutch titles, two Premiership and two FA Cups with Arsenal. In 2004 he lifted the FA Community Shield with the Gunners. He also won the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998. In all Kanu has amassed 13 major trophies, with the addition of Saturday’s win over Cardiff, when one adds his two African Footballer of the Year awards.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
AC Milan Has Not Made Any Offer For Didier Drogba-Grant
Avram Grant insists he has had no contact from AC Milan with regards Didier Drogba - saying he does not believe what he reads in the papers.Grant plays down Drogba Milan talk
Chelsea boss Grant admitted that he was unaware of press reports on Wednesday morning which suggested that the Ivorian hitman had already held discussions with the Italian giants.
The Israeli coach is adamant that every member of his squad remains committed to the club, and fully expects to keep hold of his prized assets.
"I didn't see it, I need to see it and then I can answer you," Grant said.
"In the papers there is so many things, I need to check with my players what is fact and what is not.
"I didn't see the paper, but you know what the papers are like.
"Up to now we have bought 600 players, and this player said this and these players have said this, for me it is more important that the players are part of the team and can deal with this.
"They are very committed, work hard and are positive, I like them. What happens off the pitch, you know what papers are like."
Grant also reiterated his belief that Drogba and club captain John Terry will be fit enough to feature for the Blues in the Champions League final against Manchester United on May 21.
"They are training today so I don't think there is any doubt," he said.
"Unless something happens this week, and you know in Chelsea you walk down the street and something can happen."
Despite leading the club to the European showpiece, speculation continues to suggest that his days at Stamford Bridge are numbered.
However, Grant is convinced that he will still be in charge of the club next season.
"I find it strange because I have a contract for four years, even though it is a contract between friends (owner Roman Abramovich), we don't involve friendship in our business," he said.
"It is a contract as a manager. I have a contract for four years, I don't think they need to come to me every two weeks and say that I can continue, I can continue, I can continue, etc.
"If I had a contract for one year then it would be okay. It doesn't bother me. It happens in football, sometimes the coach doesn't like the team, sometimes the team doesn't like the coach. Maybe they should tell me every two weeks that I should continue."
Chelsea boss Grant admitted that he was unaware of press reports on Wednesday morning which suggested that the Ivorian hitman had already held discussions with the Italian giants.
The Israeli coach is adamant that every member of his squad remains committed to the club, and fully expects to keep hold of his prized assets.
"I didn't see it, I need to see it and then I can answer you," Grant said.
"In the papers there is so many things, I need to check with my players what is fact and what is not.
"I didn't see the paper, but you know what the papers are like.
"Up to now we have bought 600 players, and this player said this and these players have said this, for me it is more important that the players are part of the team and can deal with this.
"They are very committed, work hard and are positive, I like them. What happens off the pitch, you know what papers are like."
Grant also reiterated his belief that Drogba and club captain John Terry will be fit enough to feature for the Blues in the Champions League final against Manchester United on May 21.
"They are training today so I don't think there is any doubt," he said.
"Unless something happens this week, and you know in Chelsea you walk down the street and something can happen."
Despite leading the club to the European showpiece, speculation continues to suggest that his days at Stamford Bridge are numbered.
However, Grant is convinced that he will still be in charge of the club next season.
"I find it strange because I have a contract for four years, even though it is a contract between friends (owner Roman Abramovich), we don't involve friendship in our business," he said.
"It is a contract as a manager. I have a contract for four years, I don't think they need to come to me every two weeks and say that I can continue, I can continue, I can continue, etc.
"If I had a contract for one year then it would be okay. It doesn't bother me. It happens in football, sometimes the coach doesn't like the team, sometimes the team doesn't like the coach. Maybe they should tell me every two weeks that I should continue."
Luka Modric Signed For Tottenham
Tottenham have confirmed that they have agreed to pay Dinamo Zagreb £16.6million for midfielder Luka Modric.
The 22-year-old Croatian international signed for Spurs at the weekend in a deal which was believed to be in the region of £15million.
And Tottenham have now verified that they are set to pay Dinamo a fee of £16.6million in instalments over a period of four years, but Modric must still obtain a work permit before his six-year contract is finalised.
A statement on Tottenham's official website read: "Tottenham Hotspur plc is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached with Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian international midfielder, Luka Modric, age 22 years, for the transfer of his registration to Tottenham Hotspur FC for a total consideration of 21 million euros payable in instalments over the next four years.
"The player's contract is for a period of up to six years and the agreement is conditional upon the granting of a work permit."
The 22-year-old Croatian international signed for Spurs at the weekend in a deal which was believed to be in the region of £15million.
And Tottenham have now verified that they are set to pay Dinamo a fee of £16.6million in instalments over a period of four years, but Modric must still obtain a work permit before his six-year contract is finalised.
A statement on Tottenham's official website read: "Tottenham Hotspur plc is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached with Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian international midfielder, Luka Modric, age 22 years, for the transfer of his registration to Tottenham Hotspur FC for a total consideration of 21 million euros payable in instalments over the next four years.
"The player's contract is for a period of up to six years and the agreement is conditional upon the granting of a work permit."
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wenger Defend Captain Gallas Over Poor Season
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says it would be a "cheap excuse" to blame the Gunners' failings this season on captain William Gallas
The 30-year-old former Chelsea defender was something of a surprise choice to replace Thierry Henry as the Gunners' permanent skipper.
However, it had looked to be a sound judgment by Wenger, as Gallas took his team to the top of the table and towards the knockout stages of the Champions League.
However, Gallas came in for criticism when he broke down in the centre-circle following the last-gasp draw at Birmingham on an afternoon where Arsenal lost striker Eduardo to an horrific broken leg and also saw two points slip away in the closing moments - not to mention a controversial magazine article commenting on Theo Walcott's development.
Gallas, who arrived from Chelsea as part of the deal which took Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge in August 2006, briefly touched on the subject in what could be his final programme notes ahead of the Everton game. He observed: "This was my first season as captain and I can tell you that I have certainly learnt a lot in the job.
"As for my thoughts on my captaincy so far, I want to keep that to myself. The season is not yet over so we cannot reflect on the season yet, we can do that at the end."
While Wenger did not single out his captain for any blame, seeing Arsenal's failure to last the course as a collective weakness, he hardly handed Gallas a ringing endorsement of his leadership role.
"I don't share the view that Gallas is a bad captain. He is a captain who is very committed and tries to work hard for the team," said Wenger.
"He had an outburst at Birmingham, but I still believe today that, even if that was a mistake, that was not why we did not win the championship.
"That would be too easy as an excuse because there are other incidents. That would be a cheap excuse.
"At the time [of the Birmingham game] we were five points in front and everybody had been praising his captaincy.
"I believe we all make mistakes and we had to come back as a unit and try to win the championship."
However, Wenger would not commit on just who would wear the armband come August.
"It [the captaincy issue] has been raised by a lot of newspapers, but I must say I have not looked at the situation yet," he said.
"My priority is to keep this team together and then we will see where we go for next season."
Arsenal head to Sunderland on Sunday for their final game of what has been a rollercoaster campaign, and which could well end with fewer league defeats than champions-elect Manchester United.
Wenger is set to have some rebuilding work to do over the summer, with out-of-contract midfielder Mathieu Flamini having signed up for AC Milan as speculation continues over the future of Inter Milan target Alexander Hleb.
"I will try to buy, maybe in the defensive area and one on the creative side of the game as well because we had some players, important players, who were out this year," said Wenger, who has been linked with a £12million move for Portsmouth's Croatian winger Niko Kranjcar.
"When there is a problem in England, people say 'you have to buy' - but you have to consider as well the development of your players internally.
"It isn't just down to money because we have bought players for nothing and they became world stars.
"It is as well down to the quality of the scouting, the quality of the work in training and the quality of the development in the players.
"I believe much more in that, working in an intelligent way to make a player improve.
"If we lose, people leave the game and say 'Wenger you must buy a centre forward' if we haven't scored, or they want a central defender if someone has made a mistake. But you have to accept that the team can be developed.
"This team made 68 points last year and this year 83. That is 15 points difference and in between we lost Thierry Henry and we lost many, many important players during the season. So you cannot say the team has not developed. Now the target for next season must be to make 90 or 92 points
The 30-year-old former Chelsea defender was something of a surprise choice to replace Thierry Henry as the Gunners' permanent skipper.
However, it had looked to be a sound judgment by Wenger, as Gallas took his team to the top of the table and towards the knockout stages of the Champions League.
However, Gallas came in for criticism when he broke down in the centre-circle following the last-gasp draw at Birmingham on an afternoon where Arsenal lost striker Eduardo to an horrific broken leg and also saw two points slip away in the closing moments - not to mention a controversial magazine article commenting on Theo Walcott's development.
Gallas, who arrived from Chelsea as part of the deal which took Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge in August 2006, briefly touched on the subject in what could be his final programme notes ahead of the Everton game. He observed: "This was my first season as captain and I can tell you that I have certainly learnt a lot in the job.
"As for my thoughts on my captaincy so far, I want to keep that to myself. The season is not yet over so we cannot reflect on the season yet, we can do that at the end."
While Wenger did not single out his captain for any blame, seeing Arsenal's failure to last the course as a collective weakness, he hardly handed Gallas a ringing endorsement of his leadership role.
"I don't share the view that Gallas is a bad captain. He is a captain who is very committed and tries to work hard for the team," said Wenger.
"He had an outburst at Birmingham, but I still believe today that, even if that was a mistake, that was not why we did not win the championship.
"That would be too easy as an excuse because there are other incidents. That would be a cheap excuse.
"At the time [of the Birmingham game] we were five points in front and everybody had been praising his captaincy.
"I believe we all make mistakes and we had to come back as a unit and try to win the championship."
However, Wenger would not commit on just who would wear the armband come August.
"It [the captaincy issue] has been raised by a lot of newspapers, but I must say I have not looked at the situation yet," he said.
"My priority is to keep this team together and then we will see where we go for next season."
Arsenal head to Sunderland on Sunday for their final game of what has been a rollercoaster campaign, and which could well end with fewer league defeats than champions-elect Manchester United.
Wenger is set to have some rebuilding work to do over the summer, with out-of-contract midfielder Mathieu Flamini having signed up for AC Milan as speculation continues over the future of Inter Milan target Alexander Hleb.
"I will try to buy, maybe in the defensive area and one on the creative side of the game as well because we had some players, important players, who were out this year," said Wenger, who has been linked with a £12million move for Portsmouth's Croatian winger Niko Kranjcar.
"When there is a problem in England, people say 'you have to buy' - but you have to consider as well the development of your players internally.
"It isn't just down to money because we have bought players for nothing and they became world stars.
"It is as well down to the quality of the scouting, the quality of the work in training and the quality of the development in the players.
"I believe much more in that, working in an intelligent way to make a player improve.
"If we lose, people leave the game and say 'Wenger you must buy a centre forward' if we haven't scored, or they want a central defender if someone has made a mistake. But you have to accept that the team can be developed.
"This team made 68 points last year and this year 83. That is 15 points difference and in between we lost Thierry Henry and we lost many, many important players during the season. So you cannot say the team has not developed. Now the target for next season must be to make 90 or 92 points
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Stoke Promoted To Elite Division
Stoke joined champions West Brom in the Premier League as Leicester were relegated, while Crystal Palace and Watford secured play-off places.performance as they battled to a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium which clinched the Championship's
Pulis' outfit produced a typically gritty second automatic promotion place.
Leicester defender Richard Stearman's header hit the bar for the visitors in the 82nd minute but Stoke dominated the clash and the although the final whistle was delayed after a premature pitch invasion, the Potters fans were eventually able to celebrate their return to the top flight after a 23-year absence.
Ian Holloway's side were relegated after Southampton claimed a dramatic 3-2 home win over Sheffield United thanks to a brace of goals from Stern John, who was later sent off.
Stephen Quinn (23) had given the Blades, who still had an outside chance of making the play-offs heading into the match, the lead.
Marek Saganowski equalised for the Saints three minutes before half-time and John then grabbed his first goal of the match in the 53rd minute.
United substitute Jonathan Stead levelled matters in the 65th minute but John smashed the ball home from inside the penalty area four minutes later to score the decisive goal.
John was then sent off with 10 minutes left for a second bookable offence to set up a tense finale - but Nigel Pearson's side hung on to avoid the drop.
Alan Lee's 70th-minute winner give Ipswich a 1-0 win over Hull at Portman Road - a result which suited neither side in the end as the hosts failed to make the play-offs.
The Tigers will now face Watford in the play-off semi-finals after the Hornets were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Ben Burgess broke the deadlock in the second minute and Watford's plight looked difficult after Darius Henderson was sent off in the 60th minute for a second bookable offence.
But Tommy Smith's equaliser two minutes later ensured Adrian Boothroyd's side finished sixth, ahead of Wolves on goal difference.
Mick McCarthy's side had claimed a 1-0 win over Plymouth thanks to Seyi Olofinjana's 87th-minute winner - but it left them agonisingly one goal behind Watford in the table.
Crystal Palace secured a play-off meeting with Bristol City in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Burnley at Selhurst Park.
The Clarets had Clarke Carlisle sent off for a foul on Scott Sinclair inside the penalty area and Ben Watson converted the resulting spot-kick in the eighth minute.
It was all Palace from then onwards as Victor Moses (10), Tom Soares (37), Sinclair (61) and Clinton Morrison (65) found the net for Neil Warnock's side.
West Brom were crowned champions after they eased to a 2-0 win at 10-man QPR.
Martin Rowlands was sent off in the 37th minute and Albion made the extra man count as goals from Do-heon Kim (53) and Chris Brunt (77) saw them home at Loftus Road.
Sheffield Wednesday made sure of their survivial with a 4-1 victory over Norwich in Dion Dublin's final game.
Darren Huckerby had given the Canaries a ninth-minute lead but a brace from Deon Burton, including a 23rd-minute penalty, and a goal apiece from Ben Sahar (76) and Leon Clarke (87) saw the Owls home.
Chris Coleman breathed a huge sigh of relief after his Coventry side stayed up despite their 4-1 defeat by Charlton at The Valley.
Luke Varney (four), Andy Gray (19), Grant Basey (48) and Chris Powell (86) were on target for the Addicks while Michael Mifsud (20) netted a consolation for the Sky Blues.
Elsewhere, Bristol City confirmed a fourth-placed finish after goals from Lee Trundle (eight), Michael McIndoe (16) and David Noble (51) gave them a 3-0 home victory over Preston.
Cardiff warmed up for the FA Cup final with a 3-0 win over Barnsley, the team they edged out in the semi-finals last month, at Ninian Park.
Goals from Paul Parry (44), Kevin McNaughton (49) and Joe Ledley (63) gave Dave Jones' side a comfortable victory over the Tykes.
Relegated Scunthorpe and Colchester ended their Championship campaigns with a six-goal thriller which finished at Glanford Park as Paul Hayes (67, 82) and Kevin McLeod (11, 48) both scored two goals apiece. Jonathan Forte (15) and Scott Vernon (47) were the other players on the scoresheet as the match finished 3-3.
Pulis' outfit produced a typically gritty second automatic promotion place.
Leicester defender Richard Stearman's header hit the bar for the visitors in the 82nd minute but Stoke dominated the clash and the although the final whistle was delayed after a premature pitch invasion, the Potters fans were eventually able to celebrate their return to the top flight after a 23-year absence.
Ian Holloway's side were relegated after Southampton claimed a dramatic 3-2 home win over Sheffield United thanks to a brace of goals from Stern John, who was later sent off.
Stephen Quinn (23) had given the Blades, who still had an outside chance of making the play-offs heading into the match, the lead.
Marek Saganowski equalised for the Saints three minutes before half-time and John then grabbed his first goal of the match in the 53rd minute.
United substitute Jonathan Stead levelled matters in the 65th minute but John smashed the ball home from inside the penalty area four minutes later to score the decisive goal.
John was then sent off with 10 minutes left for a second bookable offence to set up a tense finale - but Nigel Pearson's side hung on to avoid the drop.
Alan Lee's 70th-minute winner give Ipswich a 1-0 win over Hull at Portman Road - a result which suited neither side in the end as the hosts failed to make the play-offs.
The Tigers will now face Watford in the play-off semi-finals after the Hornets were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Ben Burgess broke the deadlock in the second minute and Watford's plight looked difficult after Darius Henderson was sent off in the 60th minute for a second bookable offence.
But Tommy Smith's equaliser two minutes later ensured Adrian Boothroyd's side finished sixth, ahead of Wolves on goal difference.
Mick McCarthy's side had claimed a 1-0 win over Plymouth thanks to Seyi Olofinjana's 87th-minute winner - but it left them agonisingly one goal behind Watford in the table.
Crystal Palace secured a play-off meeting with Bristol City in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Burnley at Selhurst Park.
The Clarets had Clarke Carlisle sent off for a foul on Scott Sinclair inside the penalty area and Ben Watson converted the resulting spot-kick in the eighth minute.
It was all Palace from then onwards as Victor Moses (10), Tom Soares (37), Sinclair (61) and Clinton Morrison (65) found the net for Neil Warnock's side.
West Brom were crowned champions after they eased to a 2-0 win at 10-man QPR.
Martin Rowlands was sent off in the 37th minute and Albion made the extra man count as goals from Do-heon Kim (53) and Chris Brunt (77) saw them home at Loftus Road.
Sheffield Wednesday made sure of their survivial with a 4-1 victory over Norwich in Dion Dublin's final game.
Darren Huckerby had given the Canaries a ninth-minute lead but a brace from Deon Burton, including a 23rd-minute penalty, and a goal apiece from Ben Sahar (76) and Leon Clarke (87) saw the Owls home.
Chris Coleman breathed a huge sigh of relief after his Coventry side stayed up despite their 4-1 defeat by Charlton at The Valley.
Luke Varney (four), Andy Gray (19), Grant Basey (48) and Chris Powell (86) were on target for the Addicks while Michael Mifsud (20) netted a consolation for the Sky Blues.
Elsewhere, Bristol City confirmed a fourth-placed finish after goals from Lee Trundle (eight), Michael McIndoe (16) and David Noble (51) gave them a 3-0 home victory over Preston.
Cardiff warmed up for the FA Cup final with a 3-0 win over Barnsley, the team they edged out in the semi-finals last month, at Ninian Park.
Goals from Paul Parry (44), Kevin McNaughton (49) and Joe Ledley (63) gave Dave Jones' side a comfortable victory over the Tykes.
Relegated Scunthorpe and Colchester ended their Championship campaigns with a six-goal thriller which finished at Glanford Park as Paul Hayes (67, 82) and Kevin McLeod (11, 48) both scored two goals apiece. Jonathan Forte (15) and Scott Vernon (47) were the other players on the scoresheet as the match finished 3-3.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Manchester United are back in the title-race driving seat
Sir Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United are back in the title-race driving seat despite last weekend's bitter defeat at Chelsea.Ferguson also brushed aside Chelsea boss Avram Grant's criticism of Alan Curbishley after the West Ham manager said it would be an injustice if United were not crowned champions.
The United manager insisted West Ham had proved tough opponents in the past - they have actually beaten Ferguson's side on the last three occasions - and would be again at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Ferguson said: "I don't know why he's suggesting there's going to be anything untoward. They should know better than anyone, Chelsea, about these situations.
"But we must be in the driving seat, if we both win two games we have the better goal difference.
"Hopefully we can win the match tomorrow which would go a long way to winning the league.
"Newcastle is not an easy place to go now for Chelsea, they are on the march.
"The important thing for us is concentrating on tomorrow's game. If both of us win both our games I will be very happy."
Ferguson feels the victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night to set up a Champions League final in Moscow against Chelsea, who overcame Liverpool 24 hours later, could prove the most important point of the season.
"We were all disappointed to lose to Chelsea last Saturday, it doesn't matter how you have lost," said the United manager.
"I think the most important thing is our result on Tuesday night, it gave us the lift at the right time.
"Now we can pick our strongest team for the next two games and have the squad to change it if we want to and hopefully we can get over the line."
He added: "I couldn't call the Chelsea v Liverpool game but it doesn't matter who it is. We are in the final, we are looking forward to it and it should be a good final."
Wayne Rooney could be on the bench against West Ham but defender Nemanja Vidic is definitely out.
The England striker injured his hip against Chelsea last weekend and missed the Barcelona game, but Patrice Evra is available despite being carried off on Tuesday after being kicked in the face.
Ferguson said: "Vidic is not fit for tomorrow as with concussion you are out for 10 days but he should be fit for next Sunday.
"Rooney has given himself a chance but I don't know if he will start, maybe he will be on the bench.
"There has been a lot of improvement in the lad and the bruising on his hip has broken up, but we will still have to see whether he can make tomorrow.
"We have got a cup final of major importance and we want to make sure he is available for that, so we are not rushing him. We need to make sure he is 100%."
Ferguson also believes the atmosphere at Old Trafford tomorrow could provide the thrust to push United towards the finishing line.
He added: "Maybe I don't even need to give a team talk, I'll just let the fans do that.
"They were fantastic on Tuesday night, I don't think there has been an atmosphere in the ground like that in my time here."
The United manager insisted West Ham had proved tough opponents in the past - they have actually beaten Ferguson's side on the last three occasions - and would be again at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Ferguson said: "I don't know why he's suggesting there's going to be anything untoward. They should know better than anyone, Chelsea, about these situations.
"But we must be in the driving seat, if we both win two games we have the better goal difference.
"Hopefully we can win the match tomorrow which would go a long way to winning the league.
"Newcastle is not an easy place to go now for Chelsea, they are on the march.
"The important thing for us is concentrating on tomorrow's game. If both of us win both our games I will be very happy."
Ferguson feels the victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night to set up a Champions League final in Moscow against Chelsea, who overcame Liverpool 24 hours later, could prove the most important point of the season.
"We were all disappointed to lose to Chelsea last Saturday, it doesn't matter how you have lost," said the United manager.
"I think the most important thing is our result on Tuesday night, it gave us the lift at the right time.
"Now we can pick our strongest team for the next two games and have the squad to change it if we want to and hopefully we can get over the line."
He added: "I couldn't call the Chelsea v Liverpool game but it doesn't matter who it is. We are in the final, we are looking forward to it and it should be a good final."
Wayne Rooney could be on the bench against West Ham but defender Nemanja Vidic is definitely out.
The England striker injured his hip against Chelsea last weekend and missed the Barcelona game, but Patrice Evra is available despite being carried off on Tuesday after being kicked in the face.
Ferguson said: "Vidic is not fit for tomorrow as with concussion you are out for 10 days but he should be fit for next Sunday.
"Rooney has given himself a chance but I don't know if he will start, maybe he will be on the bench.
"There has been a lot of improvement in the lad and the bruising on his hip has broken up, but we will still have to see whether he can make tomorrow.
"We have got a cup final of major importance and we want to make sure he is available for that, so we are not rushing him. We need to make sure he is 100%."
Ferguson also believes the atmosphere at Old Trafford tomorrow could provide the thrust to push United towards the finishing line.
He added: "Maybe I don't even need to give a team talk, I'll just let the fans do that.
"They were fantastic on Tuesday night, I don't think there has been an atmosphere in the ground like that in my time here."
Avram Grant happy with his situation in Chelsea
Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists he is not worried by speculation over his future after guiding the club to their first Champions League final.Grant has exceeded all expectations at Stamford Bridge since succeeding Jose Mourinho in September last year.
Chelsea are currently level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League table, the team they also meet in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21, and Grant is expecting another dramatic weekend in the title race.
Chelsea captain John Terry has already said that Grant has done enough to secure his position as manager and now the 52-year-old Israeli insists he is happy with his situation at the club.
When asked whether he had spoken with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich since Wednesday's dramatic victory over Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, Grant replied: "Yes, but it was a private matter. I have a feeling that you know that he's happy, very happy. We are in contact, and he's happy.
"The relationship is good. Everything will be OK. Do I look worried? I need to do my job all the time, to look at the present and the future in this club.
"About my personal life, I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. Professionally, I know what Chelsea need to do tomorrow, a week from now or two years from now."
Meanwhile Grant, preparing his side for Monday's fixture at Newcastle, insists that winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is not unhappy despite being left out of the side in recent games.
The Israeli, who spoke movingly at a Holocaust remembrance at Auschwitz on Thursday, also expects striker Didier Drogba to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Drogba's future continues to come under intense speculation but Grant believes the Ivory Coast striker is happy in London and that is demonstrated by his displays on the pitch.
"There are a lot of rumours about everybody," said Grant.
"Didier can only play for one club, but he's been linked to six or seven. No, only four.
"He's at the club. Sometimes he has good days, sometimes he has bad days, you have to give answers to questions like this on the pitch. In the semi-finals, he was good.
"If Shaun is not happy, given my relationship with the player, he can come and tell me.
"I don't think there's a problem. We are in historic moments in Chelsea, so this is a moment to say 'thank you' to all the players at Chelsea.
"Shaun was our best player in December. This is a time to respect everybody at the club.
"My assistants have done a very good job, the medical department, the new fitness coach.
"It has not been an easy season, but it will also belong to these kind of players."
Finally, Chelsea are seeking clarification from the Premier League over whether Nicolas Anelka will be able to play against his former club Bolton on the final day of the season.
There have been suggestions that Anelka was signed on an initial loan agreement before the £15million deal was made permanent in the January transfer window and as a result cannot play against his old club.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "We are seeking clarification on this matter."
Chelsea are currently level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League table, the team they also meet in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21, and Grant is expecting another dramatic weekend in the title race.
Chelsea captain John Terry has already said that Grant has done enough to secure his position as manager and now the 52-year-old Israeli insists he is happy with his situation at the club.
When asked whether he had spoken with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich since Wednesday's dramatic victory over Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, Grant replied: "Yes, but it was a private matter. I have a feeling that you know that he's happy, very happy. We are in contact, and he's happy.
"The relationship is good. Everything will be OK. Do I look worried? I need to do my job all the time, to look at the present and the future in this club.
"About my personal life, I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. Professionally, I know what Chelsea need to do tomorrow, a week from now or two years from now."
Meanwhile Grant, preparing his side for Monday's fixture at Newcastle, insists that winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is not unhappy despite being left out of the side in recent games.
The Israeli, who spoke movingly at a Holocaust remembrance at Auschwitz on Thursday, also expects striker Didier Drogba to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Drogba's future continues to come under intense speculation but Grant believes the Ivory Coast striker is happy in London and that is demonstrated by his displays on the pitch.
"There are a lot of rumours about everybody," said Grant.
"Didier can only play for one club, but he's been linked to six or seven. No, only four.
"He's at the club. Sometimes he has good days, sometimes he has bad days, you have to give answers to questions like this on the pitch. In the semi-finals, he was good.
"If Shaun is not happy, given my relationship with the player, he can come and tell me.
"I don't think there's a problem. We are in historic moments in Chelsea, so this is a moment to say 'thank you' to all the players at Chelsea.
"Shaun was our best player in December. This is a time to respect everybody at the club.
"My assistants have done a very good job, the medical department, the new fitness coach.
"It has not been an easy season, but it will also belong to these kind of players."
Finally, Chelsea are seeking clarification from the Premier League over whether Nicolas Anelka will be able to play against his former club Bolton on the final day of the season.
There have been suggestions that Anelka was signed on an initial loan agreement before the £15million deal was made permanent in the January transfer window and as a result cannot play against his old club.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "We are seeking clarification on this matter."
Avram Grant happy with his situation in Chelsea
Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists he is not worried by speculation over his future after guiding the club to their first Champions League final.Grant has exceeded all expectations at Stamford Bridge since succeeding Jose Mourinho in September last year.
Chelsea are currently level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League table, the team they also meet in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21, and Grant is expecting another dramatic weekend in the title race.
Chelsea captain John Terry has already said that Grant has done enough to secure his position as manager and now the 52-year-old Israeli insists he is happy with his situation at the club.
When asked whether he had spoken with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich since Wednesday's dramatic victory over Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, Grant replied: "Yes, but it was a private matter. I have a feeling that you know that he's happy, very happy. We are in contact, and he's happy.
"The relationship is good. Everything will be OK. Do I look worried? I need to do my job all the time, to look at the present and the future in this club.
"About my personal life, I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. Professionally, I know what Chelsea need to do tomorrow, a week from now or two years from now."
Meanwhile Grant, preparing his side for Monday's fixture at Newcastle, insists that winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is not unhappy despite being left out of the side in recent games.
The Israeli, who spoke movingly at a Holocaust remembrance at Auschwitz on Thursday, also expects striker Didier Drogba to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Drogba's future continues to come under intense speculation but Grant believes the Ivory Coast striker is happy in London and that is demonstrated by his displays on the pitch.
"There are a lot of rumours about everybody," said Grant.
"Didier can only play for one club, but he's been linked to six or seven. No, only four.
"He's at the club. Sometimes he has good days, sometimes he has bad days, you have to give answers to questions like this on the pitch. In the semi-finals, he was good.
"If Shaun is not happy, given my relationship with the player, he can come and tell me.
"I don't think there's a problem. We are in historic moments in Chelsea, so this is a moment to say 'thank you' to all the players at Chelsea.
"Shaun was our best player in December. This is a time to respect everybody at the club.
"My assistants have done a very good job, the medical department, the new fitness coach.
"It has not been an easy season, but it will also belong to these kind of players."
Finally, Chelsea are seeking clarification from the Premier League over whether Nicolas Anelka will be able to play against his former club Bolton on the final day of the season.
There have been suggestions that Anelka was signed on an initial loan agreement before the £15million deal was made permanent in the January transfer window and as a result cannot play against his old club.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "We are seeking clarification on this matter."
Chelsea are currently level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League table, the team they also meet in the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21, and Grant is expecting another dramatic weekend in the title race.
Chelsea captain John Terry has already said that Grant has done enough to secure his position as manager and now the 52-year-old Israeli insists he is happy with his situation at the club.
When asked whether he had spoken with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich since Wednesday's dramatic victory over Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, Grant replied: "Yes, but it was a private matter. I have a feeling that you know that he's happy, very happy. We are in contact, and he's happy.
"The relationship is good. Everything will be OK. Do I look worried? I need to do my job all the time, to look at the present and the future in this club.
"About my personal life, I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. Professionally, I know what Chelsea need to do tomorrow, a week from now or two years from now."
Meanwhile Grant, preparing his side for Monday's fixture at Newcastle, insists that winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is not unhappy despite being left out of the side in recent games.
The Israeli, who spoke movingly at a Holocaust remembrance at Auschwitz on Thursday, also expects striker Didier Drogba to remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Drogba's future continues to come under intense speculation but Grant believes the Ivory Coast striker is happy in London and that is demonstrated by his displays on the pitch.
"There are a lot of rumours about everybody," said Grant.
"Didier can only play for one club, but he's been linked to six or seven. No, only four.
"He's at the club. Sometimes he has good days, sometimes he has bad days, you have to give answers to questions like this on the pitch. In the semi-finals, he was good.
"If Shaun is not happy, given my relationship with the player, he can come and tell me.
"I don't think there's a problem. We are in historic moments in Chelsea, so this is a moment to say 'thank you' to all the players at Chelsea.
"Shaun was our best player in December. This is a time to respect everybody at the club.
"My assistants have done a very good job, the medical department, the new fitness coach.
"It has not been an easy season, but it will also belong to these kind of players."
Finally, Chelsea are seeking clarification from the Premier League over whether Nicolas Anelka will be able to play against his former club Bolton on the final day of the season.
There have been suggestions that Anelka was signed on an initial loan agreement before the £15million deal was made permanent in the January transfer window and as a result cannot play against his old club.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "We are seeking clarification on this matter."
Liverpool Ready To Go All Lenght To Secure Barry
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill claims Liverpool have made "an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges" for Gareth Barry.Reports earlier on Friday had suggested Liverpool had made a £10million cash bid to try and lure Barry to Anfield from Villa Park.
But O'Neill has revealed the offer is far from straightforward and has also criticised the Reds for leaking news of the approach.
Barry, who has two years to run on his current contract, recently admitted he might have to consider his future at Villa as he wants to be challenging for honours at this stage of his career.
O'Neill is understood to be interested in bringing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch back to Villa Park, while Scott Carson, currently on loan at the club, and defender John Arne Riise could also come into the equation if a cash-plus-players deal materialises.
But O'Neill would still want to keep hold of Barry if at all possible and insists Villa are "not a feeder club".
O'Neill told the club's official website: "Gareth Barry still has two years of his contract left to run and from my two years' experience of working with him, he's not one who would be wanting to break contracts lightly.
"Liverpool haven't made a straight cash offer. They have made an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges.
"I'm particularly disappointed to hear that business is being conducted in public and I just want to be clear on this in that we're trying to build a side here and we're not a feeder club.
"We want to be trying to challenge. At some stage we want to get to the position that this football club once held. That will demand an awful lot of effort. It will take a supreme effort and it will take very, very good players."
O'Neill added: "I don't want to be in a position of letting really good players go. Gareth Barry is a really good player who still has two years left on his contract.
"I haven't discussed these things with him yet. At some stage obviously I will do. But the day before probably our most important game of the season is not the time to be discussing it.
"A couple of weeks ago Gareth said he would prefer to wait until the end of the season before we start discussing things and I think that would be the right thing to do.
"It's particularly disappointing to find out that Liverpool have carried the story in their local paper. It's certainly not the way that the Liverpool of old conducted business. I prefer to do things with a bit or privacy and a bit of confidentiality.
"That's particularly disappointing, especially at this time.
"We've got two important games coming up. Liverpool's season might effectively be over as they have qualified for the Champions League and their interest in this season's Champions League ended a couple of nights ago.
"I'd rather be waiting until the end of the season before I discussed things."
But O'Neill has revealed the offer is far from straightforward and has also criticised the Reds for leaking news of the approach.
Barry, who has two years to run on his current contract, recently admitted he might have to consider his future at Villa as he wants to be challenging for honours at this stage of his career.
O'Neill is understood to be interested in bringing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch back to Villa Park, while Scott Carson, currently on loan at the club, and defender John Arne Riise could also come into the equation if a cash-plus-players deal materialises.
But O'Neill would still want to keep hold of Barry if at all possible and insists Villa are "not a feeder club".
O'Neill told the club's official website: "Gareth Barry still has two years of his contract left to run and from my two years' experience of working with him, he's not one who would be wanting to break contracts lightly.
"Liverpool haven't made a straight cash offer. They have made an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges.
"I'm particularly disappointed to hear that business is being conducted in public and I just want to be clear on this in that we're trying to build a side here and we're not a feeder club.
"We want to be trying to challenge. At some stage we want to get to the position that this football club once held. That will demand an awful lot of effort. It will take a supreme effort and it will take very, very good players."
O'Neill added: "I don't want to be in a position of letting really good players go. Gareth Barry is a really good player who still has two years left on his contract.
"I haven't discussed these things with him yet. At some stage obviously I will do. But the day before probably our most important game of the season is not the time to be discussing it.
"A couple of weeks ago Gareth said he would prefer to wait until the end of the season before we start discussing things and I think that would be the right thing to do.
"It's particularly disappointing to find out that Liverpool have carried the story in their local paper. It's certainly not the way that the Liverpool of old conducted business. I prefer to do things with a bit or privacy and a bit of confidentiality.
"That's particularly disappointing, especially at this time.
"We've got two important games coming up. Liverpool's season might effectively be over as they have qualified for the Champions League and their interest in this season's Champions League ended a couple of nights ago.
"I'd rather be waiting until the end of the season before I discussed things."
Ronaldo voted Writers' Footballer of the Year
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association for the second season running.
The 23-year-old Portugal international - who last week was named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year - topped the poll of journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.
It is the second season in succession Ronaldo has received the accolade, now in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.
Paul Hetherington, chairman of the FWA, said: "Ronaldo's award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record - 38 at the moment - and he is, of course, essentially a winger.
"Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way."
Ronaldo - who has helped take United to within touching distance of the Premier League title as well as the Champions League final in Moscow - will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on May 15.
The 23-year-old Portugal international - who last week was named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year - topped the poll of journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.
It is the second season in succession Ronaldo has received the accolade, now in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.
Paul Hetherington, chairman of the FWA, said: "Ronaldo's award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record - 38 at the moment - and he is, of course, essentially a winger.
"Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way."
Ronaldo - who has helped take United to within touching distance of the Premier League title as well as the Champions League final in Moscow - will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on May 15.
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