=>Becks Real deal dismissed
Manchester United have denied they had any contact with Real Madrid over superstar midfielder David Beckham. And they dismissed reports a deal has been done to sell him to the Spanish giants. United´s Director of Communications Paddy Harverson said: " This story is completely and totally untrue. We have not held any discussions with any club, nor agreed a deal with any club, concerning any of our players."
Neil Custis, The Sun
Back in the Ole routine
Ole Solskjaer reckons Manchester United are in the form of their lives as their season reaches make-or-break time. United´s Norwegian striker grabbed the equaliser as the Reds hammered Newcastle 6-2 to go top of the Premiership. And Solskjaer insisted: " For 45 minutes of that game it was probably one of the best spells we have ever had in my time here!"
Carl Liddle, The Sun
Vieira still to good on one leg
Even if Patrick Vieira is on one leg and wearing a huge bandage on the other, Arsenal simply have to patch him up for the Premiership title showdown on Wednesday night. Vieira showed yesterday why he is irreplaceable in the heart of the Arsenal midfield and if he is absent at Highbury then Manchester United will undoubtedly start with the upper hand. Captain Marvel Vieira is Arsenal´s inspiration and the heartbeat of the team. He never knows when he is beaten.
John Cross, Daily Mirror
Scholes power
He may have been one of the major influences on another enchanting season for Newcastle, but whenever he is called for England duty, Kieron Dyer comes away with an inferiority complex. The reason is Paul Scholes, the dynamic Manchester United midfielder keeping Dyer from being the centre of Sven Goran Eriksson’s attention and the man who taught Dyer a lesson at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Colin Young, Daily Mail
Becks ‘will still be here next season’
Manchester United and Real Madrid last night issued vehement denials that David Beckham is heading for Spain this summer for £38million.
Sports staff, Daily Mail
Duff move talk
Whether his manager likes it or not, Damien Duff is proving with every game just why Manchester United will be heading a queue of clubs determined to prise him away from Blackburn in the summer. Another goal – his fourth in as many games – was enough to give Rovers a 1-0 win over Charlton at Ewood Park and maintain their challenge for a place in the Uefa Cup next season.
Chris Wheeler, Daily Mail
Fergie fury: Shearer gave our title bid the elbow
Sir Alex Ferguson accused Alan Shearer of putting Manchester United’s Premiership title bid in jeopardy with a whirling elbow and a flying boot after seeing his side hit six of the best. Furious Ferguson appeared to hint that Shearer was partly responsible for a five-man injury list just three days before his showdown with Arsenal at Highbury.
Niall Hickman, Daily Express
United are the form team, but Arsenal are the best
Sir Alex Ferguson sent out a message with Manchester United’s stunning victory at St James’ Park, which made everyone sit up and take notice. But it will not frighten Arsenal. The title rivals go head-to-head at Highbury on Wednesday with Fergie’s men in terrific form after the 6-2 win at Newcastle which turned the Premiership into a two-horse race. Manchester United are three points clear, having played a game more. If they win at Highbury to go six clear it will be all over and the title will be heading back to Old Trafford. But that will not happen on Wednesday because Arsenal will come through, win the game and go on to retain the Premiership. It’s as simple as that.
Mark Lawrenson, Daily Mirror
We’re gunning for you
The roars were not head at Highbury. But the reverberations rocked the red half of north London. If Sir Alex Ferguson had dreamed of his side sending out a message of intent before the “game of he season” it could not have been more conclusive and eloquent.
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
