Don´t touch my van, Fergie tells Barca
Sir Alex Ferguson has told Barcelona that Ruud van Nistelrooy will not be allowed to leave Manchester United at any price. Van Nistelrooy and David Beckham have both become pawns in the machinations of candidates involved in Barca´s presidential elections. Joseph Martinez Rovira and Jordi Majo have both promised to deliver Van Nistelrooy to the Nou Camp in a £40million deal if they are successful in the forthcoming ballot. But Ferguson has moved swiftly to kill any hope the Catalan club had of signing the striker who scored 44 goals for the Reds last season. Ferguson contacted the Dutchman´s agent Roger Linse to warn him he would block any move. And while Beckham´s name has also been prominent in the electioneering, the Sunday Mirror can reveal that United have NOT done a deal to give the Spaniards exclusive rights to sign the England captain for £25m if they make a bid before the end of the month.
Simon Mullock, Sunday Mirror
I´m the man
Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that he is a target for Manchester United. And the AC Milan hard man may quit the European champions to move to Old Trafford. Gattuso said: " My agent has told me there has been a lot of interest from England and that one of the clubs to have spoken to him is Manchester United. They are a big club so I would have to be interested. It is an honour to be mentioned alongside them." Former Rangers midfielder Gattuso, 25, claims he is not respected in Italy - despite his starring role in Milan´s Champions League Final victory over Juventus last week. " It is only people outside my own country who seem to like me," he admitted. " Maybe English teams think of me because the style I have is perfect for the Premiership. Whatever the future brings I hope it includes some time playing in England."
Simon Mullock, Sunday Mirror
Your country needs you
" Racism, violence and people jumping on the pitch has got to be put out of our game." These are the words David Beckham will use when he addresses the nation at 5pm tomorrow in a desperate bid to stop UEFA throwing England out of the European Championship. Europe´s football chiefs have made it clear one more controversial incident involving England fans will result in immediate expulsion from the tournament in Portugal next summer. The FA escaped severe punishment last month when UEFA´s disciplinary board imposed a heavy fine rather than insist England played next week´s qualifier against Slovakia behind closed doors. That ruling followed widespread trouble at Sunderland´s Stadium of Light during, before and after the crunch clash with Turkey in April. Serious allegations including rioting and racist abuse were levelled at the FA. And although UEFA appeared lenient in their sentencing in Geneva, they made it clear that there would be no second chance for England. The England captain´s decision to go on air and appeal to the fans was fully endorsed by the FA.
Paul Smith, Sunday Mirror
Don´t shame us
David Beckham tomorrow makes an unprecedented TV address to the nation to urge England fans to come out against racism and violence at international games. And the captain tells supporters that the booing of opposition national anthems MUST stop. He goes on to warn that England will be BOOTED out of Euro 2004 if the hooliganism continues. Beckham - dressed in an England training top - does the broadcast alone and unscripted. It was his response to the outrage over the behaviour of fans during the stormy clash with Turkey at the Stadium of Light and the subsequent fine and warning imposed on England. Beckham declares: " Racism, violence and jumping on the pitch have got to be put out of the game. We have been warned already and we don´t want to face elimination from the competition."
Sports staff, Sunday People
Utd will listen to Becks deals
Manchester United ARE ready to accept offers on David Beckham, I can reveal. For the first time, a leading Old Trafford source has confirmed that Beckham could go this summer if the club receive an offer of more than £30m. Despite stories to the contrary last night, there has been NO offer for Beckham, who has been linked most recently with AC Milan and Barcelona. Chief Executive Peter Kenyon, currently in Monaco for the Grand Prix as a guest of United´s sponsors Vodafone, has again distanced himself from the speculation. United are aware that Beckham´s name is being used in Barcelona´s presidential elections. Favourite Joan Laporta reckons he can deliver Becks AND Thierry Henry if he is voted in.
Sports staff, Sunday People
United for life!
The European Cup Final was fought out between two of Italy´s heavyweights . ..an English club did not even reach the last four. Dazzled by a heady mixture of Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane and Roberto Carlos, Manchester United limped out of the competition almost as soon as the serious stuff began. Yet Rio Ferdinand, in his first season, has seen enough to realise there is no other place to be. He took his mind off a fitness struggle to play for England just for a moment to declare he wants to stay at Old Trafford. For life. Here under the Spanish sun, £30million defender Ferdinand has been fighting for his immediate future at the heart of Sven Goran Eriksson´s defence.
Sports staff, Sunday People
Fergie and missus to sort Kewell
Harry Kewell´s future will be decided by his wife and Sir Alex Ferguson. The Leeds star has FOUR options . .. Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. But wife Sheree does not want to leave the country because of her TV career, while the United boss must guarantee Kewell a regular starting slot if he is to land the Aussie. The imminent capture of Djibril Cisse is a signal Liverpool have accepted defeat, which leaves Arsenal in a strong position. But Ferguson would be loathe to allow Arsenal to snap up another match-winner and knows he has the financial muscle to blow the Gunners out of the water. And that means Old Trafford is still the most likely destination, especially with Italian sources still claiming Ryan Giggs is heading for AC Milan.
Sports staff, Sunday People
Ronaldinho United goal
Brazil´s World Cup star Ronaldinho has insisted he is on his way to Old Trafford. The PSG striker, who played in the French Cup Final last night, said: " I admire Manchester United. " The idea of joining them makes me dream, because they are a big, successful club and play my kind of football. I have a burning desire to be involved with a club that plays in big games all the time." The 23-year-old added: " I must admit that I look at the Premiership and it makes me desperate to get involved. It´s like being a kid by a pool - you just want to jump in."
Sports staff, Sunday People
