Il y a plus de 400.000 habitants à Manchester, et plus de 2 millions dans ce que l´on appelle le " greater Manchester" donc ce serait pas l´affluence le probléme je crois ^^

Le tout c´est de savoir comment rembourses ces dettes

Il n´y a plus qu´à attendre après la cup on en saura plus certainement

Knight and Richardson called up

Zat Knight and Kieran Richardson have been called up to the England squad for the forthcoming tour of the US.

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson named his squad for the trip to America last week, but has seen his options limited by several withdrawals.

Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard, Manchester United pair Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney and Liverpool aces Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have all been forced to miss the tour.

Richardson had been on stand-by for the tour after an impressive loan spell at West Brom and he has been given the call after Manchester City ace Shaun Wright Phillips was forced out with an injury.

Birmingham defender Matthew Upson has also pulled out of the squad with a hernia problem and although Tottenham´s Michael Dawson was on stand-by to make the squad he was also forced to withdraw due to injury.

The injuries to the central defensive duo has cleared the way for Zat Knight to win his first call-up to the senior squad.

England are scheduled to play two games on the tour against the United States and Colombia later this month.

>> Kieran a été appelé en selection pour la tournée aux EU, c´est bien pour lui.

l´idee du casino sera mauvaise bon maintenant faut espere que le gars fout pas de conneerie avec le club de mon coeur

Uncapped pair net England call-up

England have called up Kieran Richardson and Zat Knight for their two-match tour of the USA.
Manchester United midfielder Richardson has enjoyed a productive spell on loan at West Brom and comes in for knee injury victim Shaun Wright-Phillips.

He was placed on standby by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson along with Michael Dawson, but the Spurs defender´s calf injury means he misses out to Knight.

The Fulham centre-half replaces Matthew Upson who has a hernia.

Knight, 25, has played four times for the England under-21s and has been a regular starter for Fulham all season.

Richardson, who has three under-21 caps to his name, was instrumental in West Brom´s successful battle against relegation and Eriksson described him as a " tremendous talent".

" He´s impressed me and I look forward to having him with us," the Swede said. " I hope he can make the most of this opportunity with England, just as he has done with West Brom.

England play the USA on Saturday 28 May in Chicago before travelling to New Jersey for a match against Colombia three days later.

Richardson told West Brom´s website: " It´s a great honour to play for your country and it just shows how well I´ve been playing recently.

" If it wasn´t for West Brom I wouldn´t be in the position I´m in right now. Playing regularly has given me the chance to show people what I can do and I´ve grown in confidence."

Manchester United defender Gary Neville is on standby to captain England in the first match if Real Madrid refuse to release England skipper David Beckham and vice-captain Michael Owen.

Eriksson plans to ask Real to let the pair go now that Barcelona have clinched the Spanish title.

England are already missing a host of players, including Paul Robinson, John Terry, Wayne Bridge, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Kieron Dyer and Wayne Rooney.

C´est bien pour Kieran ^^

Man Utd hit by Cup final injuries

Manchester United have suffered a double defensive injury blow ahead of Saturday´s FA Cup final.
Gabriel Heinze is almost certain to miss out after failing to recover from his ankle ligament injury.

And Sir Alex Ferguson has also revealed Gary Neville is a major doubt with a groin strain.

" Gaby doesn´t want to be ruled out at the moment but I do not see him playing," said Ferguson.

" Gary is a concern because he is not training. We have got medical people working on him and we will give him every chance but it is not looking good.

Earlier, Arsenal revealed that striker Thierry Henry is out with Achilles tendon injury.

Henry returned to action after a groin strain in the 7-0 defeat of Everton and aggravated an old Achilles injury.

The 27-year-old missed the Gunners´ 2-1 defeat against Birmingham on Sunday but the injury has failed to heal in time for Henry to face Manchester United.

However, Arsenal did receive some good news when Freddie Ljungberg declared himself fit for the 21 May game.

CASILLAS DENIES DONE DEAL

Iker Casillas has denied that he has already agreed terms with Real Madrid over a new contract.

The Spain international has proven to be one of Europe´s outstanding goalkeepers over the past couple of seasons, with the Spanish press having previously intimated that Real had tied him down with a deal until 2011.

However, whilst acknowledging that he remains committed to the capital outfit, Casillas insists that the two parties have yet to concur on fresh terms.

´´I have not reached any agreement,´´ Casillas told Marca.

´´I want to continue at Real Madrid, I want to retire at this club, but we have not spoken about anything.

´´My representative will speak to the club in due time. I have already said often what I think of this subject.´´

The player´s agent, Gines Carvajal, also confirmed that talks had yet to commence with Real president Florentino Perez.

´´When Madrid call we will speak and we are interested,´´ continued Casillas.

´´There is nothing closed and we must still speak. It is not as easy as it seems.´´

Real vice-president Emilio Butragueno has suggested that talks have been put on hold until the season´s close - where the futures of Raul Bravo, Luis Figo and Ivan Helguera will also be decided.

´´We have not closed negotiations with Iker,´´ conceded Butragueno.

´´The president has often said that until we finish the season we will not engage over contracts.

´´Until the season is over we will not solve the cases of Iker, Figo, Helguera or Raul Bravo.´´

>> finalement on peut encore l´avoir. ^^

Figo claims axe is unfair

Luis Figo is waiting for Real Madrid to decide upon his future after claiming his recent axing is unjust.

The Portuguese playmaker has not been in favour with Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo in recent weeks and has lost his place in the starting XI.

His absence from Luxemburgo´s plans has sparked suggestions that the 32-year-old will be shipped out of the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer.

Figo is unhappy with his current lot in the Spanish capital and wants to learn if he has a future as one of Los Galacticos.

" My situation of not playing in the starting XI is a little unjust," Figo told Spanish television programme Las Cerezas.

" Sincerely, I know the reasons for my exclusion.

It is the decision of the coach but I continue with my work every day and my attitude has not changed.

" I am a person with a very calm conscience.

" In these last few days there have been rumours of my exit from Real Madrid but the truth is that I have one more year on my contract.

" If the club are not interested in me I wait for their decision."

Meanwhile, reports in the Spanish media have claimed that Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo wants to move to the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has been in talks about improving the terms of his contract at Old Trafford but there is interest from Real, who perceive the youngster as a natural replacement for his compatriot Figo.

Luxemburgo has already expressed his admiration for the tricky wide man and rumours in Spain claim he would be willing to join the club.

>> " Meanwhile, reports in the Spanish media have claimed that Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo wants to move to the Bernabeu." ils sont tous voyants les média en espagne...

Rio the bait for Ramos
Manchester United may have to sell Rio Ferdinand if they want to sign Spanish sensation Sergio Ramos. The 19-year-old Sevilla defender is high on Sir Alex Ferguson´s shopping list but United have been told Ramos will cost £20m. Fergie is reported to have around that amount to spend in the summer and, as a new goalkeeper is a high priority, may decide to cash in on Ferdinand, who has yet to agree a new deal. United scouts have watched Ramos, who can play right-back or centre-half, but were hoping to swoop for around £5m. Seville president Jose Maria del Nido said: " Ferguson wants him and we are aware of that but that is the price we have set and for a 19-year-old it´s cheap."
Pete Jenson, Daily Star

United net kid keeper
Schoolboy goalkeeper Tom Lunn has got the world in his hands after signing for Manchester United - aged just EIGHT! The youngster was spotted playing in a seven-a-side league by an Old Trafford scout who saw him as an outstanding prospect. His dad Peter, from Barnsley, said: " It is every schoolboy footballer´s ambition to be signed by the most famous club in the world."
Staff reporter, Daily Star

Benitez could beat United in race for Milito
Rafa Benitez is closing in on Manchester United transfer target Gabi Milito. Liverpool boss Benitez has sounded out Real Zaragoza about their 24-year-old Argentine defender and is confident of signing him if an agreement can be reached on a fee. Barcelona are also showing great interest with Zaragoza wanting at last £6million. Milito would have joined Real Madrid three years ago but for a knee problem which has since cleared up. United have been monitoring his progress and hope the presence of fellow-countryman Gabriel Heinze at Old Trafford might prove decisive.
Staff reporter, Daily Mail

Anton on Rio
Rio Ferdinand is directing brother Anton’s dreams of becoming a Premiership blockbuster. West Ham defender Anton, 20, sends videos of his games to big brother for his expert analysis. " I talk to my brother after every game," revealed Anton. " I look up to Rio and will always get advice from him."
Andrew Dillon, The Sun

Richardson can solve England problem
Kieran Richardson last night promised to cure England´s left-sided midfield problem as he and Fulham´s Zat Knight were called up to tour the USA. Manchester United kid Richardson and defender Knight were drafted in by manager Sven Goran Eriksson yesterday when Shaun Wright-Phillips and Matt Upson pulled out through injury. For Richardson, international recognition capped off a remarkable four months in which he helped West Brom remain in the Premiership during a successful loan spell. Richardson, 20, said: " There have been a few people drop out but this just shows how well I have been playing recently for West Brom. Playing regular football you get more time to show people what you can do and I have grown in confidence and have been doing well. It is possible I can play on the left for England. I believe in my ability and I can play on the big stage."
Martin Rogers, Daily Mirror

slt a tous vous pouver expliquer en gros quesque sa veut dire

Manchester United : Heinze et G.Neville incertains face à Arsenal
18 mai 2005 - 19 h 04 -

Manchester United devra sûrement se passer de Gabriel Heinze et de Gary Neville, tous les deux blessés, pour disputer samedi prochain la finale de la Cup face à Arsenal.

L´Argentin Gabriel Heinze et l´international anglais Gary Neville fouleront-ils la pelouse du Millenium Stadium de Cardiff avec Manchester United face à Arsenal samedi en finale de la Cup ? Alex Ferguson en doute : « Gaby ne veut pas être écarté pour le moment mais je ne le vois pas jouer. Quant à Neville, il suscite l´inquiétude car il ne peut pas s´entraîner. C´est très décevant parce que ce sont deux joueurs d´expérience. »

Heinze est touché à la cheville droite depuis trois semaines, tandis que Gary Neville souffre d´un étirement à l´aine.

N.B.

Duo lodge Mikel complaints

Manchester United and Lyn Oslo have both complained to Fifa about Chelsea and John Obi Mikel´s agents for their part in the Nigerian´s transfer row.

Mikel signed for United three weeks ago in a £4 million deal from the Norwegian side, but the transfer has now erupted into a bitter row.

The 18-year-old has since gone AWOL from training in Norway, and popped up in London claiming that he had been pressured into agreeing on a move to Old Trafford next January.

Mikel also said that he now wants to play for Jose Mourinho´s side and not The Red Devils, but Sir Alex Ferguson´s outfit have insisted their contract is water-tight.

Both United and Lyn have now reported Mikel´s agents John Shittu and Rune Hauge, along with Premiership champions Chelsea, to Fifa for their parts in the saga.

" We are worried about Mikel and about his situation," Lyn chairman Sveinung Lunde told a news conference on Wednesday.

Lyn´s solicitor Erik Nadheim says that both teams have lodged complaints with Fifa, and the Norwegian side want Mikel back with their squad as soon as possible.

" Lyn and Manchester United have sent in a complaint on Chelsea and the two agents, Shittu and Rune Hauge, to Fifa," said Nadheim.

" The only thing that Lyn wants is that Mikel comes back to Norway and plays football until his contract expires."

Mikel´s agents have claimed that Lyn did not have the right to sell the player, while the Norwegians remain furious that a player still contracted to them has vanished from training.

Lyn have warned Mikel that they will try and block his participation in the Fifa world youth championships in Holland for Nigeria should he not return to play for them.

It now seems inevitable that Fifa will need to sort out the future of the Nigerian as his transfer saga continues to take amazing new twists

Glazer´s TV hopes rocked
Malcolm Glazer´s hopes of securing individual TV deals for Manchester United have been rocked. The club’s new owner believes negotiating their own TV contracts would help clear his £540million debts. However European Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd said: “We do not have a problem with the Premier League’s joint- selling agreement.”
Staff reporter, The Sun

United fury over Mikel
Lyn Oslo and Manchester United are to report agents Rune Hauge and John Shittu, plus Chelsea, to FIFA over the John Obi Mikel transfer wrangle. The complaint centres around allegations that Mikel, 18, has been the subject of an illegal approach which caused his dramatic about-turn last week when he claimed he had been " bullied" into signing for United.
Staff reporter, Daily Mirror

Becks in Reds dream team
David Beckham may be long forgotten by Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson. But a poll voted the England captain and Real Madrid star into a best-ever XI. Fans picked five of the present team but left out George Best and Bobby Charlton. Team: Schmeichel, G Neville, Ferdinand, Bruce, Irwin, Beckham, Keane, Robson, Giggs, Cantona, v Nistelrooy.
Staff reporter, The Sun

We need a squad lift in the summer - Keane
Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has called on Sir Alex Ferguson to strengthen the squad this summer if they are to have any chance of catching Premiership champions Chelsea next season. Keane believes Fergie needs to make at least two new signings if United are to close the gap on Chelsea and compete with the rest of Europe. He said: " Hopefully we´ll improve the squad. I think the best squad always wins the league, so maybe we´ve been a bit short on that side. But we´ll concentrate on the FA Cup Final and let the manager take care of who he wants to bring in during the summer. It´s fair to say we´ve been disappointed with our form this season. We´ve been quite inconsistent and not scored enough goals. We need to score more and hopefully we´ll do that."
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror

Ferguson plans Richardson meeting

Sir Alex Ferguson will determine where Kieran Richardson plays his football next season after the FA Cup final.
The Manchester United midfielder, 20, enjoyed a productive loan spell with West Brom and has been rewarded with a place in the England squad to tour USA.

" I´m delighted how things have worked out for him. I saw his performance in Sunday´s game and it is terrific that he has been picked for England.

" Hopefully we can sit down next week and map out his future," Ferguson said.

Richardson was due to meet Ferguson on Tuesday, but that meeting had to be cancelled.

Albion boss Bryan Robson has already expressed a desire to keep Richardson at the Hawthorns for another year as he looks to build on this term´s successful survival fight.

However, Richardson would prefer an Old Trafford return, provided he felt there would be more first-team opportunities on offer than he has previously enjoyed.

D´Agostino in United link

Manchester United could look to Serie A again this summer for young talent, according to reports in Italy.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been buoyed by the success of Giuseppe Rossi in the Old Trafford reserves and could be tempted to look to the continent again when planning any additions to his squad this summer.

Messina midfielder Gaetano D´Agostino has attracted interest from United scouts and is said to be featuring on a list of possible targets.

The 22-year-old joined the Sicilian side on loan from Roma last summer but Messina seem set to obtain full ownership of the player.

Although there has been no contact yet between United, who are focusing on the FA Cup final with Arsenal, and Messina, D´Agostino could emerge as an option when Ferguson thinks over his transfer plans.

A creative influence, who prefers to operate
behind two strikers, the Palermo-born youngster is something of a free kick expert. He has represented Italy at various levels up to the Under-21 side.

Mikel saga continues

Lyn Oslo kit manager Tom Erik Jorgensen has offered his opinion on the John Obi Mikel transfer row.

Jorgensen, like agent Dan Fletcher, claims the Nigerian midfielder is happy to join Manchester United but is being pushed into heading for Chelsea.

Even though Mikel has appeared on Sky Sports News stressing he is no longer keen on a move to Old Trafford, soon after arriving in London to stay at a hotel in the English capital, Jorgensen has indicated that this is not the player´s true opinion.

" I stayed at the hotel with him," Jorgensen told TV2 Sport.

" He came and told me that he had talked to [agent] John Shittu on the phone and that people in the background had threatened his life.

" He was happy for the transfer to United. He said that they were good at developing talent and, therefore, it could be better to join them.

" He was relaxed the days after the transfer.

" Therefore, it feels comical for me to hear what he has said on the television."

The transfer saga shows no signs of being settled with United and Chelsea fighting out for the services of the hugely promising African.

United have appealed to the authorities over the matter as they already have a signed document from the player and Lyn and believe they have beaten Chelsea to the capture of the midfield prodigy

Alex: Glazers will be watching

Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Malcolm Glazer will get an idea of what Manchester United are all about on Saturday.

The United manager thinks the club´s new owner will be watching on television when The Red Devils defend the FA Cup against Arsenal at Cardiff´s Millennium Stadium.

By breaking his silence on the subject, the Scot has stressed a desire that both Glazer and son Joel learn to understand the fabric of the Old Trafford club.

Although the United supporters are expected to be dressed in black as a sign of mourning, and will chant in protest against the American business tycoon, Ferguson thinks Glazer will get a taste for the identity of Manchester United.

" I don´t know if they [the Glazers] will be there but they will be watching from the States, I´m sure of that," he told the LMA´s official website.

" It will give them an idea of what Manchester United is and when, hopefully, they see our fans celebrating and see the atmosphere of that, it will be wonderful."

Ferguson also issued a warning to Wayne Rooney to stop practising his cannonball shots in training.

" When he goes onto that training field, the first thing he does is get a ball and batters it into the net," he continued.

" And it batters over the top of my head. One of these days he will hit me - and he will get killed.

" [Seriously], I always felt this was a player that could reshape our future and that is the way it is looking at the moment."

vou pouvez p

C´est toujours très compliqué concernant Mikel et on parle de D´Agostino à MU.

Mourinho backs Man Utd for FA Cup

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has thrown his backing behind Manchester United for their FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Mourinho wants United to win on Saturday because he has a better relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson than Gunners rival Arsene Wenger.

" I respect him, but not just respect, I like him," Mourinho told Gary Lineker in a documentary to go out on Monday.

" He is a person to fight with but a person that when a game ends we share a glass of wine and speak openly."

He added: " He is a very correct person and he teaches me a few things.

" I would like Manchester United to win. I have no problem to say that."

Mourinho led Chelsea to the Premiership title and a Carling Cup win this season in his first campaign in English football.

And while he has bonded with Ferguson his rapport with Wenger remains distant.

" I don´t know him well, so I think it´s not fair to speak about someone I don´t know personally," added Mourinho.

" When he says he likes other Chelsea teams much more than our team I know why - because we are the champions. He preferred the other way when they were the champions.

" I didn´t like Arsenal at the start of the season when they smashed everybody and I don´t like them now when they beat Everton 7-0 and they win.

" But I liked them very much in the middle of the season when every weekend they lost points.

" I was in love with them then, so I can understand why Arsene doesn´t like us."