Luis Antonio Valencia wants to join Manchester United ahead of Real Madrid - with Sir Alex Ferguson on a four-week deadline to do the deal. Wigan's Ecuador star has told pals he would prefer to go to Old Trafford rather than return to Spanish football to become one of a wave of signings at Real for next season. But now Ferguson has the clock ticking on his bid as Latics insiders reveal they have a £18million offer for Valencia agreed with the Madrid club subject to the right candidate winning their elections. Valencia is wanted by leading presidential candidate Florentino Perez whose agents have tabled an offer subject to him topping the poll on June 14. However United can match the pending offer in the coming weeks and get their man ahead of their arch-rivals Real, with Valencia keen to join them and stay in the Premier League.
Alan Nixon, Daily Mirror
In other news, Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Carlos Tevez, but were reeling last night after being told Liverpool are willing to shell out £50million for the Argentine.
Ahead of Sunday's trip to Hull, the Sun reckons officials from Newcastle, Boro and Sunderland have discussed taking action if United send out a shadow side in the final game of the season.
Meanwhile, Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta have declared themselves fit for the Champions League final.
Sir Alex expects final to savour
Sir Alex Ferguson believes that his Manchester United FC team's Rome showdown with FC Barcelona has all the ingredients for a "fantastic" UEFA Champions League final.
Profile
Looking ahead to the 27 May contest between the newly crowned champions of England and Spain, Sir Alex said: "The profile of the final is very good and I hope it lives up to that. When you see the players that Barcelona have got and you see the players Manchester United have got, it deserves a good final and I hope it will be.
Positive feeling
"European finals can be disappointing. If you look at the results over the years it can be a disappointing game – nil-nils, penalties – though I've a feeling it won't be the way that Wednesday. When we get a game of football that paints a real story of football then we're all happy about it and Barcelona and Manchester United can do that in this final. I think it will be a fantastic final. We are playing a team with fantastic philosophy of football and a great history."
'Encouragement'
United midfielder Ryan Giggs concurred with his manager, saying: "It's the dream final – two massive clubs with massive histories, who play football the right way and have so many individuals. Everyone is looking forward to it, including the players." Yet Sir Alex, who is seeking to add to triumphs in 1999 and 2008, admitted he had taken encouragement from watching Chelsea FC make life difficult for Josep Guardiola's Barcelona side in a closely fought semi-final. "I watched their game against Real Madrid [a 6-2 away win] which was an absolutely magnificent performance. I said to myself, 'Christ, we have to play them possibly'. But then Chelsea showed they can be beaten so I take some encouragement from that."
O'Shea place
Speaking at United's Carrington training ground, the United manager said that John O'Shea, an unused substitute in last season's final against Chelsea, would start at the Stadio Olimpico. Describing the Republic of Ireland defender as one of his "unsung heroes", the Scot praised O'Shea – scorer of the only goal of the semi-final first leg against Arsenal FC – for his efforts at right-back this year. He said: "Because of the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown this year he has become a permanent fixture. He takes his place in Rome because he deserves it."
Ferdinand concern
Yet Sir Alex could not confirm whether Rio Ferdinand, absent for the last three games, would have overcome his calf injury in time to face Barcelona. "I am hoping he will be fit for [Sunday's game against Hull City AFC]. If not he is doutbful for Wednesday that is for sure, because he needs a game."
High hopes for fantasy final
Sir Alex Ferguson expects “an outstanding final” as two of Europe’s finest attacking teams go head to head in the Champions League’s showpiece in Rome next week.
The Reds boss faced the massed media ranks at Carrington on Wednesday to look ahead to the final, and he expects it to be one to remember. “The profile of the final is very good, I hope it lives up to its billing,” he said. “When you see the players Manchester United and Barcelona have got, it suggests a great match. There’s a strong possibility of an outstanding final.”
The boss admires Barcelona’s footballing traditions and recognises many similar traits in his own team. “Every club has their style,” he added. “And to win a tournament you have to express that. We have the players to do it.
“We’re playing a team with a fantastic philosophy of football. I watched their game against Real Madrid (which Barcelona won 6-2) and thought, ‘christ, we’re going to have to play them’. But Chelsea showed that they can be beaten. I take encouragement from that.”
However, just because the final is contested by talents like Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, and Messi, Iniesta, Eto’o and Henry; it doesn’t guarantee a great spectacle. “European finals can disappoint,” admits the boss. “But I have a feeling it won’t be that way.”
Ryan Giggs wants a match to remember, but he's more focused on United doing well and winning. “I hope it’s free-flowing with lots of goals. But sometimes good teams cancel each other out. I hope that’s not the case, but we just hope to keep their dangermen quiet while our match-winners perform.”
Rio Ferdinand in Rome
United may be without Rio Ferdinand in Rome should the defender fail to pass a fitness test for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Hull City.
The 30-year-old has missed the Reds’ last three games after injuring his calf in training and Sir Alex said on Wednesday it could be too big a risk to play the defender in the Champions League final without 90 minutes of football under his belt.
"I am hoping Rio will be fit for Sunday," said the boss. "If not then he's doubtful for Wednesday. I think he needs a game. To go into a Champions League final without playing for three weeks might be a bit much.
"The plan is for him to start training with the team on Thursday. Once he starts on the football training we will have a better idea about his availability for Sunday. So hopefully he will be fit."
Ferdinand hasn't played since United's Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. And if he doesn't make the final then Sir Alex will call on Jonny Evans.
"I'd have no problem with it," added Sir Alex. "I wouldn't be bothered one bit about selecting Jonny for the final. He has had a fantastic season, the kid. He is 21, and he's much like Gerard Pique - they grew up together here. It'd be a fitting tribute to our Academy if both players played in the final. It'd be a nice touch."
Team of the weak?
Paul Davies pours scorn on reports that United could be sued for selecting a side of Carling Cup winners against Hull...
Kuszczak; Rafael, Neville, Evans, Fabio; Possebon, Fletcher, Gibson, Nani; Macheda, Welbeck. That’d be my side for Sunday’s trip to Hull.
I’m not in the habit of telling Sir Alex what side he should pick for matches, nor am I doing so here, but no United fan would complain if such a line-up were fielded at the KC Stadium on Sunday. There’s a certain appointment in Rome next Wednesday that must, simply has to, take precedence.
As is their way, the media have sniffed a possible scandal in the offing – field a weakened line-up and United could face legal action from the North East clubs. Or at least that’s what is being reported by certain papers this morning. And wouldn’t the media just love that – a last day controversy to replace the title finale that the Reds so cruelly robbed them of by winning it early. We’re such spoilsports.
Grounds for suing the club, apparently, would be the contravening of paragraph E20 of Premier League rules, which states that “in every league match, each participating club should field a full-strength team.”
But therein lies the problem – who determines what is and isn’t full strength? Isn’t that at the discretion of the manager? Shouldn’t Sir Alex be the one to decide if Rooney and Ronaldo, for example, are in need of a rest and therefore not fully fit? What about those players who have picked up knocks in recent weeks and for whom Sunday could be a game too far and lead to injury ahead of possibly the biggest game of their life? And what exactly is the point of a squad if you’re only allowed to field your strongest XI every week?
Sir Alex has never put out a side to do anything other than win a match and that won’t change now. In fact, there’s every chance that the side I’ve suggested is wide of the mark and some perceived bigger names will feature. But whatever starting XI he selects, it will be a side he believes is good enough to beat Hull City.
Indeed, if the line-up was similar to the one I’ve suggested, then it’s hardly a weak one: five of the possible starters I’ve listed held a full-strength Everton – currently English football’s fifth-best side – to 0-0 over 120 minutes in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, just a month ago. Four others are internationals.
That same team lifted the Carling Cup a month earlier, so it’s hardly one lacking in first-team experience and far from the ‘rookie side’ being touted by some papers, who are predicting a line-up not unlike mine at the top of this blog.
The suggestion that Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland will have grounds for legal action should Sir Alex go with what is deemed a weakened side is just plain daft. A non story. Besides, I don’t remember Newcastle complaining when they grabbed a point against a patched-up United side on the first day of the season. Or maybe I just missed the resulting lawsuits from Sunderland and Boro...?
The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.
Dimitar Berbatov
After playing a major role in United's title success, Dimitar Berbatov admits his debut campaign couldn't have gone much better.
The Reds' number nine has netted 14 goals in all competitions, including nine towards the title-race triumph, but the Bulgarian knows he can't rest on his first-season laurels.
"It's a dream come true to be at United," Dimitar told MUTV. "But I know I must keep playing and training at the highest level possible because that is what life at this club is about - playing every game 100 per cent, training 100 per cent and of course, winning things."
Comparisons have been drawn between the playing styles of Berba and Reds' legend Eric Cantona and Dimitar revealed that, like the French maestro, he is a bit of a perfectionist.
"I know when I play well and when I play badly," he added. "When I go home I stare at the TV and watch so when the next match comes I try to learn from my mistakes and do better. And I have Sir Alex telling me what I do wrong and how I can improve."
Berbatov was also keen to pay tribute to his team-mates for helping him settle in so quickly to life at Old Trafford.
"I don’t have the words to say how much I appreciate the help the players have given me, from my first day here until now. They've made me feel like I have been here for ten years!"
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