The two Ronnies
Brazilian superstar Ronaldo wants to join Manchester United when his contract with Real Madrid is up at the end of the season. If he gets his wish of becoming a free agent, United would have the two Ronaldos, having already signed Portugal?s wonder boy Cristiano. Real?s Ronaldo has told his advisors and representatives that Old Trafford is his dream destination ? even though he has been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Paul Hetherington, Daily Star Sunday
Fergie: Arsenal aren?t real champs
Sir Alex Ferguson last night ignited the annual war of words with rival Arsene Wenger by insisting: Arsenal bored their way to the title. Wenger´s all-conquering Gunners created history last season by powering their way to the Premiership crown without losing a game. But Manchester United boss Ferguson tried to belittle the achievement by claiming: " It´s debatable whether Arsenal are the best team in England. I don´t think they can repeat what they did last year. That was a one-off. It wasn´t championship form - Arsenal had too many draws. In a normal year you are going to lose four games or so and that would have cost them.?
James Fletcher, News of the World
Smith: I?m ready to spill blood for Fergie
Alan Smith has vowed to become Sir Alex Ferguson´s weapon of mass destruction. The controversial £7m striker is determined to win over the most sceptical Manchester United fans declaring: " I am driven to win - and the supporters will see that the moment the new Premiership season starts." Smith will take another step towards the transformation from arch enemy to hero at Cardiff´s Millennium Stadium today when Fergie´s FA Cup winners take on Arsenal in the Community Shield curtain-raiser. " Any player has a lot to prove coming here and I´m no different. But once the fans see that I am prepared to spill blood for this club I know I won´t have a problem.?
Steve Bates, The People
Eagles eyed by Wenger
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to spring a selection surprise today by giving Chris Eagles a starting chance against Arsenal. And, ironically, I understand Arsene Wenger has been keeping an eye on Eagles? contract situation at Old Trafford. The 18-year-old is currently on a one-year deal and although United are currently trying to sort out a longer contract, Eagles? current wage of less then £1000 a week makes him vulnerable.
Andy Dunn, The People
It?s too much, says Ruud
Crocked Ruud van Nistelrooy has hit out at the crazy workload that has consigned him to a month on the sidelines. Van Nistelrooy will have a hernia operation ruling him out of the Community Shield, the Champions League qualifiers and the start of the Premiership. ? If you look at the amount of players who suffer with hernia problems, and who play the same amount of matches, it?s frightening,? said van Nistelrooy.
Peter Fitton, Mail on Sunday
Glazer on Red alert
American sports entrepreneur Malcolm Glazer is about to make his move to take control of Manchester United. Glazer, who currently owns 19.2 percent of the club, will meet up on Tuesday with the biggest shareholders, JP McManus and John Magnier. If they agree to sell to Glazer it would put him over the 30 percent holding at which he would be obliged to launch a full-scale takeover.
Bill Mills, Sunday Mirror
Scholes warning
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned that more players will follow in the footsteps of Paul Scholes by quitting international football. Fergie said: ? I spoke to Paul a year ago and he was thinking about it then. Quite a few players are doing it now as they get towards 30 because of the amount of games they are asked to play. It certainly helped Alan Shearer and I think we will get an instant dividend from Paul this season.?
Simon Mullock, Sunday Mirror
Real step up chase for Rooney
Real Madrid have turned up the heat on Everton by revealing they want Wayne Rooney. The stunning news swept through Spanish football yesterday. Madrid´s attempt to sign Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has stalled because they are not prepared to pay more than £25million. And they will use that pot of money to tempt debt-ridden Everton into selling striker Rooney, 18. Rooney has become one of the world´s hottest properties after Euro 2004. Manchester United had been confident of taking Rooney to Old Trafford but were prepared to wait until at least the Januray transfer window to get their man.
Simon Mullock, Sunday Mirror
Robson: Add Rooney and the glory is as good as yours, Alex
There have been a few eye-catching transfers this summer, but the most significant deal is still in the melting pot ? and I don?t mean Patrick Vieira. You could make a strong case for Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United being champions this season, but I believe if Sir Alex Ferguson is permitted to make a move for Wayne Rooney, it will be advantage Old Trafford. To add Rooney to his current strike-force would give Alex a great sense of belief going into the new season.
Sir Bobby Robson, Mail on Sunday
Fergie poach storm
Manchester United have sparked a poaching row by snapping up German youth keeper Ron-Robert Zieler. The 15-year-old, who plays for Bundesliga club Cologne, impressed at the Premier Cup youth tournament at Old Trafford. But Cologne club director Andreas Rettig said: ? We want a decent transfer fee for Zieler. We?re not too happy about the way United?s scouts went about their business but we cannot prevent his departure.?
Staff reporter, News of the World
We?ll show them how
Tim Howard has warned Arsenal to dismiss Manchester United at their peril. The United stopper cannot believe critics have already labelled the fallen champions ? yesterday?s men.? Howard said: ? For the first time in years, people are writing us off. But it will spur us on to prove people wrong and we are the hunters now, rather than the hunted, so we will use that to our advantage.?
Ray Ryan, News of the World
Ell?s snitching
David Elleray has finally handed out his end-of-term reports to the Premiership players and managers who made his refereeing life either heaven or hell. The Harrow school teacher unmasks the big-name stars who give officials a rough ride - and hands out gold stars to some surprising names . .. including Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane. But there are no prizes for guessing which type of category Gary Neville falls into. Elleray explains: " Gary Neville is a serial moaner on the field and his voluble comments when Rio Ferdinand was stopped from playing for England shows he is the same off it as well. Never one to admit his own failings, let alone see another point of view, his face would contort with anger as he spat out his words of disagreement.?
Andy Dunn, The People
It?s no-go for Forlan
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to pull the plug on Diego Forlan?s £2.3m move to Levante because of Ruud van Nistelrooy?s hernia injury. Levante agreed a fee with United following their failure to capture the Uruguayan on loan. But Ferguson said: ? I am not willing to let Diego go after what has happened to Ruud, especially as we also have Solskjaer out injure and Saha carrying a knock.?
Staff reporter, Sunday Mirror
Round-up by Gemma Thompson.
Ruud Out For Month
Ruud van Nistelrooy to miss four weeks with a hernia problem > >
Sir Alex Recalls Duo
Fergie recalls Scholes and Fletcher for Sunday´s Community Shield > >
Cup Refunds Available
The club have announced Vodafone Cup refunds > >
