=>pr terminer cette vague de news ; -)
Fergie´s Red machine marches on - Man Utd 3 - Blackburn 1
They came to turn back time but long before the final whistle blew, the three men who once played for Manchester United discovered their old team had left them far behind, cast off like forgotten stragglers. In another era not long in the past, they had all had their sweet and triumphal moments in the colours of Sir Alex Ferguson´s side. Remember Andy Cole chipping the Tottenham goalkeeper to clinch the league title and the first leg of the Treble in front of the Stretford End in 1999. Remember Dwight Yorke and his stellar performances in great arenas like the San Siro and the Stadio Delle Alpi. And Henning Berg being drafted in after winning the title in his first stint at Blackburn to shore up the creaking United defence. But United´s march forward, their quest for progress and improvement, is relentless and ruthless. It waits for no man.
Oliver Holt, Daily Mirror
You´ve gagged Ole
Arsenal are convinced Manchester United have gagged Ole Solskjaer to KO Sol Campbell. The champions are sure Solskjaer wants to speak up for their defender after last week´s Highbury red card which leaves Campbell facing a four-game ban. But they believe the striker has been silenced by boss Alex Ferguson in case Campbell gets off the hook. One Arsenal official claimed: " Solskjaer was drinking tea with some our backroom staff after last week´s game and he promised to speak on Sol´s behalf. He accepted what happened was accidental and Sol did not deserve to be banned. But now we are hearing nothing from United, apart from the idea Thierry Henry tried to punch Solskjaer."
Mark Irwin, The Sun
I could go on till I´m 92
Alex Ferguson is loving this season so much he claims he could manage for another 30 years or so. The Manchester United boss has expertly steered his team through an early storm and is now on course to bag an eighth title in 11 seasons. And it is the nature in which his team has battled back to now stand three points clear at the top of the table which has revitalised Ferguson. Last week, former United great Eric Cantona joked his old gaffer would die on the bench. Not for a long time yet, according to the ruler of Old Trafford. Ferguson said: " I have really enjoyed this season, it has given me a new lease of life. Eric was going on about me dying on the bench. I´ll have to have a word with him, I´m only 61. I don´t want that happening until I´m 92 - at least."
Neil Custis, The Sun
Becks is staying put
Alex Ferguson insists David Beckham is going nowhere. Manchester United boss Fergie slammed reports claiming the England skipper, 28 next month, would be heading for Real Madrid. And he blasted his European Cup rivals for fuelling stories that Beckham ( left) is bound for the Bernabeu. Real defend a 3-1 quarter-final, first-leg lead when they visit Old Trafford on Wednesday. And Ferguson believes the rumours will disappear after the Spanish giants return home. He said: " It only came out when the draw was made for the quarter-finals and we are still playing them. Probably after the game on Wednesday it will vanish. You know what they are up to and I think it will all die after this match."
Ben Kinsella, The Sun
Zidane plans backlash
Zinedine Zidane vowed last night to make Manchester United suffer for the battering he took from Barcelona. Real Madrid´s French superstar suffered in Saturday´s 1-1 Spanish league draw and was lucky not to be sent off for elbowing Carlos Puyol in the face. He said: " I was kicked over and over again right throughout the 90 minutes. I even have scratch marks on my neck - that was the way they played it." Then he looked at Wednesday´s European Cup quarter-final return leg with United at Old Trafford - a tie Real lead 3-1. He said: " I´ll make up for the disappointment of not beating Barca and not scoring by getting a goal on Wednesday. In fact I´m certain our goals will start to flow again in Manchester."
Sports staff, The Sun
Gutsy Gunners deserve it - By Steven Howard
Mental strength, team spirit and resilience. These are the three qualities Arsene Wenger admires in his team more than any. They are also the three Alex Ferguson most fears. Even more than Henry, Vieira and Pires. Those of us who have watched, close-up, as Wenger copes with the unequal battle of taking on Manchester United´s infinitely superior financial artillery down the years can also testify to the mental toughness of the Arsenal boss himself. Saturday´s victory at Middlesbrough - where the Gunners became the only side in the top six to win this season - was another graphic example of the strength of character that runs throughout the club. If this epic title race has Grand National overtones, Arsenal have just survived possible electrocution by The Chair. They now travel this weekend to the Becher´s Brook of Bolton. Should they negotiate that safely, then we really will have a neck-and-neck charge over the Melling Road towards the final fences.
Steven Howard, The Sun
Beckham: I´d never say never to Real
David Beckham last night refused to rule out the prospect of beginning next season with the club he aims to knock out of Europe on Wednesday. The England skipper has never hidden his admiration for everything Real Madrid stand for, on and off the pitch. Beckham knows an inspirational performance at Old Trafford, especially if he can put Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Raul in the shade and for once win his personal duel with Roberto Carlos, will only add to his list of Spanish admirers after Raul admitted he would be a glittering adornment to their list of stars. And while he did not talk about leaving United, Beckham said: " As I´ve always said - ´Never say never´. You always want to play with the best team and the best players. Undoubtedly, Manchester United have a great team and great players. In the last eight, nine years we´ve won most things in England, and the European Cup. Real Madrid have got a massive history about them, and they´ve got world class players."
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
Beckham: My pain over Brazil World Cup blunder
David Beckham still blames himself for England´s World Cup exit by Brazil. He believes England could have gone on to be crowned champions in Japan but for his mistake in the final seconds of the first half in Shizuoka that led to Rivaldo´s equaliser. He tried to shepherd the ball into touch, jumping out of the way as Roberto Carlos and Roque Junior converged on him. But Brazil kept the ball in and within moments Rivaldo had levelled. " I thought the ball was going out and I jumped to let it go out and they broke off and scored. But, you must move on. If you worry about what´s gone on in the past you will never get anywhere."
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
Keane ready to shock Spaniards
Roy Keane has warned Real Madrid that Manchester United are determined to maintain their momentum by knocking them out of the Champions League. United have hit top form since their 3-1 defeat in Madrid with wins over Liverpool, Newcastle and Blackburn, plus the 2-2 draw at Arsenal, which swung the title odds back in their favour. Keane believes United will never have a better chance of overturning a two-goal deficit and beating the Champions League holders and favourites. " We have been written off a lot of times before and proved people wrong," he said.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
Souy: Giggs so good it´s frightening
Graeme Souness last night warned Real Madrid that Ryan Giggs is ready to destroy their Champions League dreams. European Cup legend and Blackburn manager Souness watched spellbound at Old Trafford on Saturday as Giggs ripped his side apart. And afterwards the man who inspired Liverpool to famous European triumphs predicted Giggs had the talent to lead United to one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. Souness said: " You would be a foolish person if you said Manchester United could not beat any team here by two goals to nil. Some of the stuff Giggs was doing against us was just frightening. On one occasion when he went through his close control was unbelievable. He is just pure quality."
Oliver Holt, Daily Mirror
