Heinze looks full of beans
Alex Ferguson has been warned to expect some Argie Bargy from his latest signing, defender Gabriel Heinze. The highly-rated Argentine full-back jetted into England last night to complete a £6million switch from Paris St Germain to Manchester United. And Heinze, 26, arrives at Old Trafford with a reputation as a nutter after being voted the roughest defender in French football last season. That dubious honour was bestowed upon him after a newspaper in France conducted a poll among fans to name the top clogger in their domestic game. Heinze, who began his career in his homeland with Newell’s Old Boys before switching to Spanish side Valladolid, came out on top by a mile. But Heinze — who was also a target for Real Madrid and newly-crowned Spanish champs Valencia — said he is happy to play wherever Fergie puts him. He said: “I am very proud of what is happening in my career now. I took a gamble by leaving Argentina to come to Europe but that decision has paid off.”
Michael Morgan, The Sun
United to sign Heinze
Manchester United have won the race to sign £6million Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze, who will complete the move by the end of the week. The left-sided defender can play at full-back or centre-half.
Sports staff, Daily Mail
Wayne is no Torres de force
Spain have taunted England ahead of Euro 2004 by claiming their 20-year-old rising star Fernando Torres puts Wayne Rooney in the shade. Manchester United have watched £20million-rated Torres several times and Spain team-mate Fernando Morientes believes he is an even better prospect than Rooney. " Fernando is a fantastic talent and is going to be a big star," said Torres. " Euro 2004 could be the stage for him to do that. He is better than any young forward in Europe."
Sports staff, Daily Mirror
I´d die fer Blues
Paulo Ferreira has admitted he would go to the ends of the earth for Jose Mourinho. The 25-year-old right-back will be the new Chelsea manager´s first signing. And though the Portugal international is a fan of Manchester United, he admits there is no way he could reject the offer from Chelsea. He said: " I want to let Chelsea fans know that I will kill myself on the pitch for their club. I might have been a Manchester United fan for the way they play football but I cannot turn this offer down."
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star