Come and get Veron
Juan Veron will be allowed to join Chelsea for £14million — as soon as Manchester United have landed his replacement. And that could be today, as Brazil midfielder Kleberson is due at Old Trafford for a medical. The Argentinian, 28, who joined United for a whopping £28.1m from Lazio two years ago, claimed — through his agent Fernando Hidalgo — that he was keen to stay at United to prove himself after a couple of disastrous seasons. Yet last night Hidalgo was heading to England for crisis talks with Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson.
Phil Thomas, The Sun
Ronaldinho deal almost done - Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Manchester United are on the verge of signing Ronaldinho - and that he is chasing fellow Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson. The Reds boss also admitted that Chelsea have enquired about Argentinian midfielder Seba Veron. Sir Alex said: " We are pursuing the Ronaldinho transfer very intensely now. We are getting to the stage where we are maybe just about there. It´s not certain. We don´t want to say it is certain until it actually is."
Stuart Mathieson, Manchester Evening News
Howard´s got God on his side
Tim Howard brings with him more than just the goalkeeping skills that have illuminated America´s Major League Soccer. The United States´ latest in an impressive line of international-class keepers carries the burden of incurable Tourette´s Syndrome on his young shoulders. In his heart he believes that he is God´s servant, and that religious devotion has enabled him to live with his affliction. The Premiership has not seen his kind before, but Howard is unconcerned. " If I´m a little different to some people, then that´s just the way it is," he said. " I serve God and nobody else. I glorify him."
Mike Preston, Manchester Evening News
Kleberson´s United dream
Manchester United target Kleberson is desperate for a crack at Premiership football - and the Reds are set to grant him his wish. The Brazilian is on his way to Manchester from South America, with the champions hoping to seal a £5m deal quickly. Kleberson´s agent Marcel Figer says he has held talks with the champions about personal terms. And United officials have been in touch with Mario Celsor Petraglia, president of the 24-year-old´s club Atletico Paranaense.
Stuart Mathieson, Manchester Evening News
Tim´s got job for keeps
Tim Howard will be handed the goalkeeper’s jersey at Old Trafford and asked to take on the toughest job in football. American international Howard is the SEVENTH man to attempt the huge task of filling Peter Schmeichel’s boots. Even Fabien Barthez, a World Cup and Euro 2000 winner with France, has fallen short of the great Dane’s awesome standards. Mark Bosnich, Raimond Van Der Gouw, Roy Carroll, Ricardo and the memorable Massimo Taibi have also failed to measure up to United’s greatest keeper. Schmeichel was at the heart of United’s glory years after arriving as an unknown from Brondby in 1991 — with his 400 appearances culminating in the 1999 European Cup win. Now boss Alex Ferguson is ready to put his faith in another mystery man, who has made just nine appearances for his country.
Phil Thomas, The Sun
Fergie´s Samba double
Alex Ferguson expects to have done his double Brazil deal by the end of the week. Manchester United boss Fergie is confident of landing Samba star Kleberson today for £5million. And he should end the long-running Ronaldinho saga in the next couple of days with a £19m deal. Midfielder Kleberson, who will sign from Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense, held talks through his English representatives last night. He is expected to jet in today and, pending final details, the deal will be rushed through before United head for a pre-season tour of America, which starts with a clash against Celtic in Seattle next Tuesday.
Phil Thomas, The Sun
Pat bid is a joke
Arsenal have laughed off Manchester United’s cheeky offer of £20million plus keeper Fabien Barthez in exchange for skipper Patrick Vieira. And Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insisted: “NONE of our stars are for sale.” Old Trafford chief Alex Ferguson has been trailing French midfielder Vieira for two years — and now wants him to replace Chelsea-bound Juan Veron. He knows there is normally no chance of Arsenal selling the World Cup-winner to their biggest rivals. But he is also aware Vieira has only one year of his contract to run and has so far refused a new deal.
Mark Irwin, The Sun
Tim´s my new Schmeichel
Sir Alex Ferguson last night made Tim Howard his No.1 goalkeeper and hailed him as the new Peter Schmeichel. Howard will take over from Fabien Barthez in the Manchester United goal and Ferguson claims the American can be as big a success at Old Trafford as Schmeichel was. Howard, 24, has signed a four-year deal with the Reds after completing his £2.3million move from the New York/New Jersey Metro Stars yesterday and Ferguson feels he reminds him of the great Dane. " There are similarities between him and Peter Schmeichel in terms of his speed, while his reflexes are also very, very quick," said the United boss. " He´s also got a good presence and I´m nothing but very impressed with him.
David Anderson, Daily Mirror
Ron’s party chopper comes a cropper
Manchester United’s £20m bid to land Ronaldinho came close to being blown out of the sky. The party-loving Samba star shocked boss Sir Alex Ferguson when he demanded a private helicopter be part of the deal. The Brazilian midfielder wanted the chopper to be on standby to whisk him to London whenever he wanted a night out. But Fergie, not surprisingly, chucked Ronaldinho’s whirly-bird party plans out of the Old Trafford window.
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star
It’s ooh-oh Ronaldinho
Manchester United fans may still be mourning the sale of Old Trafford idol David Beckham to Real Madrid. But they will soon be rejoicing in the presence of Ronaldinho – the new Eric Cantona. So says former United captain Bryan Robson, who tips the Brazilian to win the hearts and minds of the Old Trafford faithful, like Cantona did in the late 90’s.
Sports staff, Daily Star
Looks like Tim’s up for Fabien
Tim Howard believe God is on his side – but Sir Alex Ferguson reckons his new keeper’s earthly attributes will soon see him being worshipped at Old Trafford. And that is bad news for Fabien Barthez, the World Cup winner who was axed by the Manchester United boss near the end of last season.
Bill Thornton, Daily Star
Veron Chel sell in line
Sir Alex Ferguson has opened the door for Juan Sebastian Veron’s exit to Chelsea. Manchester United boss Ferguson hinted that a significant offer will signal the sale of the Argentine midfield star. Fergie admitted that Veron was happy at Old Trafford, where he was “enjoying his football”. But, when asked if he wanted to keep the player who was signed for £28m two years ago, Ferguson replied: “Circumstances might change because we don’t know what the offer is.”
Bill Thornton, Daily Star
Weng: Vieira to stay
Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger insisted none of his stars were for sale in response to stories that Patrick Vieira could quit Highbury for Chelsea. Wenger is adamant the midfielder will stay. “Our best players are not for sale. Definitely not,” he insisted.
Chris Hatherall, Daily Star
Chelsea can have Veron says Fergie
Sir Alex Ferguson has told Chelsea to come and get Juan Sebastian Veron as he closes in on a £25million double deal for Ronaldinho and Kleberson. Ferguson confirmed Chelsea had made an enquiry for the Argentina playmaker and is waiting for them to follow up with a concrete offer that matches Manchester United’s £17m valuation.
Richard Tanner, Daily Express
