High Roon
Manchester United aim to seal a deal for Wayne Rooney before today’s High Noon clash with Everton. The Rooney transfer will be discussed by the two Boards in the build-up to the Old Trafford showdown. United offered £25million for Rooney on Saturday - but Everton are currently holding out for another £1m in cash. The Goodison club do not want striker David Bellion, who United were prepared to offer to clinch the deal.
Neil Custis, The Sun
D-day on deal for Rooney
Wayne Rooney’s future will be decided today, with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright due to travel to Old Trafford for talks. He will meet Manchester United chief executive David Gill before the two teams meet this lunchtime, and continue negotiations which began last night. United have upped their offer to £24.2million, but that is still below Everton´s valuation for the England striker. Kenwright is also unhappy with proposals to stagger payments for the 18-year-old and to include a condition that the full amount is paid only if the Premiership and Champions League trophies go to Old Trafford. United are confident they will get their man this afternoon and have scheduled a medical for today to give them time to complete the transfer before Tuesday´s deadline of 5pm.
David Maddock, Daily Mirror
Fergie is innocent
Alex Ferguson is innocent of forcing officials into adding a crucial extra minute of injury time in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn. That is the view of former Premiership whistler Jeff Winter after Alan Smith hit a controversial late equaliser for the Reds. Winter, who describes the United boss as a ‘referee’s nightmare,’ explained: “For once I’ve got to admit, Alex Ferguson is innocent. But despite Fergie being infamous for clock-watching, there was nothing sinister. The referee still has the final say on time-keeping.”
David Kidd, The Sun
Blackburn 1 United 1
Gary Neville’s actions said it all. A stalwart of Manchester United’s glory over the past decade knew a draw was not good enough. So when Alan Smith scored an injury-time equaliser and was enveloped by team-mates, Neville could only scowl. He wanted more. Indeed, rather than celebrate, Neville was screaming for them to get on with the game. It might have been the fourth minute of injury-time but he knew there were another 30 seconds in which they could grab the winner. And Neville knew it was a winner they needed. As the smoke drifts away from the starter’s gun, United find themselves still on their blocks.
Neil Custis, The Sun
