Continental drift
Ryan Giggs and Patrick Vieira are the matinee idols of the Premiership who will be offered seats on European football’s magic roundabout as the giant losers of the Champions League semi-finals re-tool for next season’s grand challenge. The Champions League final will be an all-Italian affair in Manchester on pasta night, May 28, but the impact of this week’s triumphs by AC Milan and Juventus will reverberate across the English game. Inter Milan and Real Madrid went home to focus on what will need to be done if they are to go that glorious step further next May. While Inter defend like demons, they did not have enough quality going forward to overcome their Milanese rivals on Tuesday night. Their lack of width especially acute and president Massimo Moratti’s admiration for Giggs has been rekindled by the Welshman’s resurgent form during Manchester United’s late surge past Arsenal.
Jeff Powell, Daily Mail
United alert as keeper Kahn seeks move
Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has declared he is ready to leave Bayern Munich – a message that will catch the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson. The 33-year-old admitted: “I have won everything here. Maybe a new challenge aboard would do me good.” Kahn has been linked with Barcelona but, at a time when Manchester United are looking to replace Fabien Barthez, Ferguson’s long-standing admiration for Kahn could prove a factor. Leeds’ Paul Robinson appeared to be next in line in United’s long-running attempt to successfully replace Peter Schmeichel, but Kahn’s statement of intent may prompt a hasty rethink at Old Trafford. Writing in his column newspaper Sport Bild, Kahn said: “Starting afresh could give me the lift I need.”
John Edwards, Daily Mail
Ruud states case for defence
Ruud van Nistelrooy says Manchester United are working on their defending in a bid to bridge the gap between the Premiership and Champions League and has underlined that a glittering array of attacking talent will never compensate for vulnerability at the back. And van Nistelrooy admits the champions were scrapping out results in the early part of the season as they worked on getting their defence right. He said: “At the beginning of the campaign we didn’t perform as well because we were working on changes from last season”
Richard Tanner, Daily Express
Student loses out on Fergie’s Ferd degree
Alex Ferguson was enjoying a day’s golf in Ireland last summer when he was approached by a brave young man – who asked for a chat. “Why’s that?” said the Manchester United boss. “I’m a university student and I’m writing an article for our magazine,” came the reply. Fergie was in an agreeable mood, granted a rare interview and – amazingly – revealed for the first time that United would be signing Rio Ferdinand. The student said: “So, is that good or bad?” Had one of the Manchester hack pack come up with a similar reply they would have been banned from Old Trafford indefinitely. Instead, Ferguson headed off and retold the story to one of his astonished golfing partners, who said: “Surely the story will come out now?” Fergie said: “I’ll bet you any money it won’t?” Sure enough, the story held until United announced Ferdinand’s signing the following week.
Steven Howard, The Sun
A Blanc cheque
Laurent Blanc is one of a handful of top names being targeted by oil-rich clubs in Qatar. The French veteran hung up his boots after picking up the Premiership trophy with Manchester United last weekend but has been approached by the Arabian country’s FA. Blanc could be persuaded to join his fellow countryman Frank Leboeuf, who has quit Marseille for Qatar.
Sports staff, Daily Mirror
Fergie must bank on youth
Sir Alex Ferguson is to splash the cash again this summer to keep Manchester United ahead of the game. But supremo Peter Kenyon insisted that the club’s future success hinges on the unknown kids on the block. Fergie has multi-million pound stars like midfielder Harry Kewell and keeper Paul Robinson in his sights. And Kenyon confirmed that he will be given the cash to ensure that United stay out of sight of their domestic rivals and in touch with the best in Europe. Yet chief executive Peter Kenyon insisted: “Youth development is at the heart of the team.”
Bill Thornton, Daily Star
Soccer shots
Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend George Best will make a return to football next week by accepting an ambassadorial role with newly-promoted Portsmouth. Best is a close friend of Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric.
Sports staff, Daily Star
