Fergie: Chelsea will be up there

September 17, 2011 under Sports

Sir Alex FergusonManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it would be an incredible achievement for Andre Villas-Boas to win the Barclays Premier League title in his first season as Chelsea boss.

The former Porto chief became the Premier League’s youngest manager when, aged just 33, he was appointed by Roman Abramovich in the summer to replace axed Italian Carlo Ancelotti. He has made a decent fist of his first five games, securing 10 points and a Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, but he faces his biggest test so far at United on Sunday.

And Ferguson is certain Chelsea will be a major threat to the Old Trafford outfit this term and he said: “That somebody so young could go and do that would be incredible. You can’t dispute that. They will be there at the end of the season though, there is no doubt about that.”

Villas-Boas’ youthfulness contrasts sharply with Ferguson, who will celebrate his 70th birthday on New Year’s Eve.

However, the Scot is not alone. Fellow top flight managers Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson are also in their 60s and England coach Fabio Capello is 65.

So, whilst Ferguson has praise for the manner in which Villas-Boas has handled his introduction to English football, he is equally pleased the value of his fellow old stagers is being recognised.

“If you go back a few years, top teams were giving jobs to players who were just finishing their careers,” Ferguson said. “That was quite surprising but it seemed to be a trend to have younger managers.

“That’s changed nowadays and experience is coming to the fore again. Young managers have more of a future. Their time will come.

“I am pleased clubs are not ignoring the values of experienced managers.”

Plenty of changes are anticipated for United, with the majority of those left out of Wednesday’s draw with Benfica set to return.

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De Gea is top keeper – Coyle

September 9, 2011 under Sports

David de Gea

Bolton boss Owen Coyle believes his side can find a way to overcome Manchester United – but does not view goalkeeper David de Gea as a potential weak spot in Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

United have started the season in impressive fashion, hammering Arsenal 8-2 in their last outing to make it three wins from the opening three fixtures of their Barclays Premier League title defence.

If they have looked uncertain in any position, it is in goal, where Spanish youngster De Gea, signed over the summer as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar, has appeared to struggle at times. The 20-year-old saved a penalty against the Gunners, though, and Coyle is certainly not thinking Bolton might have an easy task getting past him.

The Scot does, however, feel Wanderers – who led United twice at home last term in an eventual 2-2 draw – have it in them to pull off a victory when the two sides meet again at the Reebok Stadium.

“David de Gea is a top goalkeeper – there is no doubt about it,” Coyle said. “With Manchester United, it is difficult to find any weaknesses, but my focus will be on making sure my group are at their best.

“We know as long as we get to our maximum that we can sleep well at night. What we don’t want to do is be below that – it leaves that bad taste in your mouth, so I will be stressing to my group that we have to get to our best. If we do that, although we certainly won’t be able to match Manchester United over the course of a season, on any given day we can win these games.”

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Man admits Coleen Rooney blackmail

August 30, 2011 under Sports

Wayne & Coleen Rooney

A man has pleaded guilty to blackmailing Coleen Rooney.

Lee Platt, 28, pleaded guilty to blackmailing the wife of Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney at Manchester Crown Court.

Platt, from Manchester, also entered a guilty plea to handling stolen goods.

Platt was arrested after the striker’s celebrity wife lost her mobile phone at a concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester in May.

The phone apparently contained family snaps of the couple’s son taken on the phone camera.

Coleen Rooney was allegedly later contacted with a request for money to have the phone returned.

Jennifer Green, 25, and Steven Malcolm, 42, also from Manchester, have entered not guilty pleas to the same charges.

Man Admits Blackmailing Wayne And Coleen

A 28-year-old man has admitted blackmailing Man United striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen over family photos of their son.

Lee Platt, who also pleaded guilty to handling a stolen mobile phone, will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court later.

Platt, of Chorlton on Medlock, Manchester, demanded £5,000 from the Rooneys for pictures of their baby son last year.

Two other people, Steven Malcolm, 42, and 25-year-old Jennifer Green have pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The case against the pair, who live at the same address in Blackley, Manchester, was adjourned.

Mrs Rooney lost her mobile phone at a Black Eyed Peas concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester last year.

The couple rang the venue when they realised the device was missing but a search of their box failed to find it.

It apparently contained family snaps of their son, who is now 21 months old, on the camera.

Mrs Rooney later received a demand for cash.

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Manchester United IPO to tap massive Asia fan base

August 17, 2011 under Sports

Manchester United

Legendary English football club Manchester United plan to tap their massive Asian fan base with a lucrative share listing in Singapore this year, sources familiar with the deal confirmed Wednesday.

Media reports said the Red Devils, the Premiership title-holders and three-time champions of Europe, aim to generate $1 billion with an initial public offering (IPO) of 30 percent of the club’s shares.

“The deal is on. It is in Singapore,” a person familiar with the plan told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that the share offer was expected to take place in the fourth quarter.

Asia was chosen over London because it accounts for 190 million out of the estimated 330 million United followers worldwide, and most of the club’s sponsors are based in Asia or generate a large part of revenue from the region.

“Asia has been integral to the club from a fan point of view and also from a commercial point of view,” the source said.

United were ranked by business magazine Forbes earlier this year as the world’s most valuable football club with a value of $1.86 billion.

The Straits Times newspaper said representatives of the club met with Singapore Exchange (SGX) officials recently.

US tycoon Malcolm Glazer and his family, who bought the club in 2005, have sent representatives to meet bankers in the city-state, it said.

Singapore’s state investment agency Temasek Holdings is being eyed as a cornerstone investor, the newspaper added.

An SGX spokesperson told AFP it was the exchange’s policy not to comment on press reports.

Sources told Dow Jones Newswires that Credit Suisse Group had been mandated as sole global coordinator and bookrunner on the deal.

Media estimates of $1 billion for 30 percent of the club’s shares means a total valuation for the company of more than $3 billion, far higher than other estimates such as that given by Forbes.

Singapore’s Business Times noted that the timing of United’s IPO would come ahead of new regulations making it mandatory for European clubs to break even from the start of the 2013/2014 season.

If not, they risk being expelled from European club competitions.

The club, which was once listed on the London Stock Exchange as Manchester United PLC, had reportedly first planned to list in Hong Kong.

United were delisted in 2005 after the Glazers bought the club through a deal that was heavily reliant on debt financing.

The family’s ownership has been deeply unpopular with United fans.

The Business Times said the business is currently 717 million pounds ($1.18 billion) in the red.

Song Seng Wun, an economist with financial group CIMB in Singapore, said he was not surprised that United would choose to list in Asia.

“More than half of their fan base is in Asia — from China to Korea and all the way to Southeast Asia,” he told AFP, adding that even fans too young to have a trading account may ask their parents to buy shares.

English football counts wealthy Asians among its most ardent fans.

Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, a self-confessed United fan, last year lost a bid to buy Liverpool for 320 million pounds.

Lim could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday, but online reactions to the planned IPO suggested that financially savvy fans could be deterred by United being in debt.

The source who spoke to AFP on the IPO plans sought to dismiss the widely held perception that United was bleeding money.

“It is debt-ridden but it’s not loss-making. On an operational level, it is profitable. It is one of the three most profitable clubs in the world.”

A Singapore listing by United would boost the city-state’s credentials as a financial centre.

The China port unit of Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa — Hutchison Port Holdings Trust — raised $5.5 billion in Singapore earlier this year.

But perennial rival Hong Kong has also had its own recent coups with successful IPOs by Italian luxury goods house Prada and Samsonite, the world’s biggest luggage maker.

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Manchester United boss backs new generation

August 14, 2011 under Sports

Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes his new generation of players will prove a better investment than long-term target Wesley Sneijder in the new English Premier League season.

United begin their title defence at West Brom on Sunday having spent £60 million on three new signings — David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones.

Ferguson has overseen the biggest overhaul of his squad in 15 years with the belief that his side will have to contend with as many as six rivals vying for their Premier League crown.

Yet instead of stepping up his bid to sign Inter Milan playmaker Sneijder, Ferguson will look to the next generation to spark their latest push for silverware.

“You can forget anyone you like (Sneijder), I’m happy with the young players I’ve got,” said Ferguson.

“We’ve got (Darren) Fletcher to come back and Michael Carrick who tends to develop more around November and December. And there’s the young boy Paul Pogba who’s showing great promise for us. We’re quite positive about him.

“When you take that roll call of players, I’m certainly not looking to add to that. There is an emphasis on young players at this club and always has been. And it is the case for any player that comes through the ranks that they can threaten anyone.

“If they have the ability and the temperament there is only one thing you can do and that is play them.”

Manchester United head to the Hawthorns for their opening game before they face five major title rivals before the end of October.

The bookmakers’ favourites won just five times away from Old Trafford last season and it’s an area Ferguson is keen to address, especially as he anticipates such a major threat to his team’s chances of lifting a 20th title.

“Last season was our worst record in the Premier League away from home – and our best at home. What do we do about it?” he added.

“I was surprised with the number of points we dropped away from home. We would settle for last season’s home record again. But we can’t bank on that.”

Ferguson, who has confirmed new £18 million goalkeeper de Gea will make his league debut, added: “If you remember our game at West Brom last season I thought we were pretty lucky.

“We won the game 2-1 but they missed a penalty. So we expect a tough game and that’s what you have to say from the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Patrice Evra is doubtful with a foot injury, while Fletcher and Antonio Valencia will make their comeback next week for the reserves after overcoming a virus and an ankle injury respectively.

Javier Hernandez is 10 days away from a return to football duty after a bout of concussion.

New West Brom signing Shane Long is in line to make his debut against the champions and could lead the line alone with Peter Odemwingie a major doubt with an ankle problem.

The Republic of Ireland striker snubbed interest from Leicester and fellow Championship outfit West Ham to join from Reading this week and he is relishing the challenge which awaits.

“Hopefully we can hit the ground running against Manchester United,” he said.

“Facing Manchester United on your debut is what dreams are made of. “I’m really looking forward to it now. A lot of my friends and family are United fans. Hopefully we can put on a good performance and cause an upset.

“I feel ready to start and if the head coach wants me to. My fitness is up there and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Manager Roy Hodgson remains hopeful former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves will agree to join with the England international currently mulling over an offer.

He said: “I can say no more than discussions are ongoing. It would be nice if he wants to join us. That would be another great addition to the squad.”

Zoltan Gera misses out through suspension and will almost certainly be joined on the sidelines by Gareth McAuley (illness).

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Man City ready to prise title from United

August 5, 2011 under Sports

Man City ready to prise title from United

LONDON (Reuters) – Manchester City stand ready to emerge from the long shadow cast by their illustrious neighbours when the new Premier League season begins next weekend.

City last won the English title in 1968, the year Manchester United first became European champions, and United have since secured 12 Premier League crowns, all under manager Alex Ferguson.

Once dismissed by Ferguson as noisy neighbours, Roberto Mancini’s City team and last season’s runners-up Chelsea are the biggest threats to United’s hopes of retaining the title.

“We expect a big challenge from those two,” Ferguson told Inside United.

City showed improvement by finishing third last season. It ensured Champions League football and provided a valid reason — other than eye-bulging salaries — for the world’s best players to flock to Eastlands.

Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is the latest A-lister to join the City revolution. His move from Atletico Madrid is the stand-out signing of a transfer window that has been relatively short of spectacular deals.

Chelsea will begin a new era under Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas — the latest occupant of the hottest seat in English football that normally results in ejection by owner Roman Abramovich if a season ends without silverware.

Villas-Boas, 33, must get the maximum out of an ageing squad that pushed United close last season. Chelsea’s pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric could persist until transfer deadline day.

Villas-Boas will also need to solve the riddle of Spain striker Fernando Torres, who since his record 50 million-pound move from Liverpool in January has managed only one goal.

“Andre is a modern manager,” Chelsea captain John Terry told reporters. “The thing that impresses me, he understands the players. I’ve been really impressed and everyone seems to finally understand the way he wants us to play.”

LIVERPOOL CHALLENGE

Arsenal, fourth last season and facing a potentially tricky Champions League playoff tie, have spent the summer trying to hold on to skipper Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri after left-back Gael Clichy joined Manchester City.

Of the other teams expected to threaten, Liverpool have been the most progressive as they try to restore their faded glamour and challenge for their first title since 1990.

The optimism of Kenny Dalglish’s return to Anfield midway through last season has been fuelled by the signings of England winger Stewart Downing from Aston Villa, playmaker Charlie Adam from Blackpool and Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.

“It has given the supporters a bit of hope and put a smile back on their faces,” Dalglish said. “In and around the city, you can see the feel-good factor is there for us. Now we have got to go on the pitch and win games.”

Tottenham Hotspur, fifth last season after cracking the top-four the season before, will expect to be in the mix, although manager Harry Redknapp has warned that the Europa League’s demands could be an unwanted distraction.

Ferguson believes United’s main rivals could be stronger by the time the transfer window closes at the end of August.

“I expected more buying,” Ferguson said. “Especially the likes of Arsenal. I thought they’d have bought a few players. But it’s early days — 31 August is a long way off and a lot can happen.

“Liverpool have bought a few players, but the important thing is to look at ourselves. We’re experienced and have the players to go the distance in all the competitions.”

WELSH INTEREST

Staying in the money-spinning elite will be the raison d’etre for around half the clubs, including Premier League newcomers Swansea City, who provide Welsh interest in the top flight for the first time since they were relegated after a two-year stay in 1983.

They will need to make a quick transition from the Championship if they are to avoid the fate of Burnley and Blackpool, both of whom reached the top division via the playoffs but lasted just one season.

Norwich City and Queen’s Park Rangers are also back in the Premier League having sunk to third-tier status since they were last there.

The big question, however, is whether the limitless spending power of Manchester City reaps the ultimate reward in the league.

Those looking for clues will turn to Wembley this Sunday, as United and FA Cup winners City meet in the Community Shield, the traditional season curtain-raiser.

Ferguson, who led United to a record 19th league title last season, will not be taking the threat from City lightly.

With his 70th birthday looming he shows no sign of resting on his laurels and has been busy adding strength to his squad, which will be missing some familiar names this season after Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar retired.

Ferguson’s love of width and pace prompted the signing of England winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa. Highly-rated defender Phil Jones Was snapped up from Blackburn Rovers and Spaniard David de Gea was bought from Atletico Madrid as Van der Sar’s successor.

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