Roo: Don’t you stop my £25 United move
Furious Wayne Rooney last night begged Everton not to wreck his dream move to Old Trafford after Manchester United upped their offer for the wonderkid. United tabled a £25million bid yesterday afternoon – the pricve Everton supreme Bill Kenwright insisted he would accept. But Everton were still stalling last night in the belief that Chelsea and Real Madrid would make 11th-hour swoops. Rooney, 18, is infuriated the deal has still not been done. He said: " I am absolutely gutted at what is happening here. It is clear that it´s time for me to leave Everton. I´m disappointed at some of the things that Everton have said, especially considering that I know the truth."
James Fletcher, News of the World
Pay £26m to land Rooney
Everton last night demanded £26million for want-away striker Wayne Rooney. They are refusing to be bullied by Manchester United or Newcastle - and have set the sale price, giving the two clubs until Tuesday´s transfer deadline to complete a deal. Manchester United have put in an improved offer yesterday for the England international, one that tops Newcastle´s £23.5millionbid. But it is still NOT the £26million Everton are demanding. But United chief executive David Gill insisted: " We will NOT be held to ransom." Gill told The SP why he thinks Rooney MUST move to Old Trafford. " We would hope Wayne would want to come to Old Trafford and we think what we can offer him makes for a powerful package. It´s not just the size of Manchester United or the financial strength of the club - we would also be able to offer him the chance to work with Sir Alex Ferguson, a successful manager with a record of developing young players.
Alan Nixon and Steve Bates, The People
Freddy is still ready
Newcastle United are refusing to throw in the towel on their £23.5million bid for Wayne Rooney. But there is a growing realisation in the St. James’s Park camp that Manchester United are now favourites to land the teenage England striker. However Shepherd insisted: “We have made Everton what I consider to be a very good offer for Rooney but we have heard nothing back from them. We haven’t given up on the transfer, but the ball is very much in Everton’s court.”
Brian McNally, Sunday Mirror
Fergie salutes brave David
Sir Alex Ferguson last night sympathised with Everton boss David Moyes for having to manage at what has become a selling club. Fergie said: “I’ve spoken to David and there is no problem between us. But when you look at Everton, you realise just how difficult that job is.”
Paul Hetherington, Daily Star Sunday
Wonderkid won’t nick Van crown
Wayne Rooney was warned last night: “You won’t be the main man if you join Manchester United.” The England striker is close to a £25million move from Everton to Old Trafford. But Louis Saha insists Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to be the No.1 striker at United. “For me Ruud is still the main man,” said Saha. “The other strikers are all fighting to play alongside him and that won’t change no matter who comes in. Everyone rates Wayne Rooney. I do too, especially after Euro 2004. He would be a great asset for United.”
Paul Hetherington, Daily Star Sunday
Rooney: Why I have to get out now
Wayne Rooney has revealed the astonishing background to his decision to quit Everton. The Goodison starlet has taken a pounding for asking to leave his boyhood heroes - with shocking ´Die Rooney, Die´ graffiti daubed on a wall at Goodison Park. But today The SP can offer a different story to the fans who have turned on him. And, as Everton ask for £26million in a take-it-or-leave-it demand to Manchester United and Newcastle, we can reveal: how one cock-up almost led to him leaving Everton on a FREE TRANSFER because of a dispute over a cash pay-out, how his advisers were told he would be sold during Euro 2004 and how Everton director Paul Gregg rang Newcastle United last week and told them he would push through a deal if they offered £23.5m.
Alan Nixon, The People
Smith forges a point for Reds
This may indeed be the season when the Premiership power-shift from north-west to south-east becomes complete, but at least the spirit on which Sir Alex Ferguson has built his great Manchester United dynasty still remains. A point at Ewood Park is hardly the stuff of champions, but this was still a message to Arsenal and Chelsea that to beat United they will have to go the full distance - and beyond. Alan Smith´s equaliser, deep in the depths of injury time, had Rovers complaining bitterly about Fergie-time, dodgy refereeing, Lorenzo Amoruso´s dubious sending-off, and a clear handball by Louis Saha that was the key to another sensational strike by United´s £6million man.
Simon Mullock, Sunday Mirror
The time bandits
Some games don´t end until Sir Alex Ferguson is satisfied with the result. Or so the theory goes. United were trailing 1-0 here yesterday, thanks mainly to a brilliant display from Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel. And worse finishing than Paula Radcliffe. So Fergie started pointing to his watch, demanding more time. And, much to the fury of Rovers boss Graeme Souness, four minutes of added time were declared by the officials. United striker Alan Smith scored with 30 seconds remaining, deep into time added on, and Souness was left with a " boiling head..." The decision to add on so much time enraged Blackburn players. And after Smith had cancelled out Paul Dickov´s brilliant volley, Rovers were pointing the finger at Ferguson for pressuring fourth official Chris Foy into adding a vital extra minute.
Steve Bates, The People
Just Brad luck
Alan Smith was the toast of Manchester United again last night after stealing a controversial last-gasp equaliser. Blackburn boss Graeme Souness was left seething when Louis Saha clearly handled in the box for his £7million strike partner to slam home from close range. Keeper Brad Friedel, who had defied United brilliantly as they poured forward after Rovers had Lorenzo Amoruso sent off, fumed: " It definitely bounced off Saha. I don´t need to see the replay, it happened right in front of me." Even United boss Alex Ferguson admitted: " That´s another wrong decision by the referee today."
James Fletcher, News of the World
Gabriel’s not guilty
Gabriel Heinze flew back to Argentina last night insisting he is not responsible for his prolonged Old Trafford absence. Heinze won an Olympic gold medal as Argentina eased past Paraguay. But the defender’s presence in Athens has irritated Sir Alex Ferguson, who has so far not even seen his £6.9m signing from Paris St. Germain train. But Heinze said: “I don’t make the calendar. FIFA and the other governing bodies arrange the games and all I do is play if selected.”
Bill Mills, Sunday Mirror
< << la seule chose que va ganer everton c´est de perdre rooney gratuitement , et surtout il ne va pas jouer de la saison avec son caractére . ..
rooney veut a tout prix MU mais everton arréte pas de monter son prix . . On a proposer 25 comme ils voulaient maintenant ils veulent 26 . ..
en fait everton attends de voir si chelsea ou le real ne vont pas faire une big offre . Mais chelsea a deja pleins d´attaquants et rooney ne veut pas , et madrid viennent de prendre owen . ..
S´ils continuent ils vont tpout perdre everton et laisser filer rooney pour 10 millions en juin . .
