Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson closes in on David de Gea

Manchester United are homing in on Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea - but the young Spaniard will have to be convinced the time is right to move to England.

The Reds are said to have lodged a £20m bid with the Spanish club for the 20-year-old, triggering the buy-out clause in his contract.

But they are waiting to speak officially to their target, who has been identified as a successor for Edwin Van der Sar next season.

The 40-year-old Dutchman retires after the Champions League final at Wembley and Sir Alex Ferguson has whittled the replacement process down to de Gea.

“David is under contract at Atletico Madrid and we don't talk about offers. That is normal,” de Gea's agent Hector Rincon told M.E.N. Sport.

“David is concentrating solely on the end of season with Atletico. But he is one of the most important players around at the moment so it is natural a club like Manchester United would be interested  in a player like David de Gea.”

De Gea has a deal at the Estadio Vicente Calderon until 2014, but the club have admitted they have twice tried to negotiate a new deal for their coveted star who is rated as Spain's next number one.

Atletico want to up his salary and extend his deal, but so far de Gea has resisted.

The club have also said he must sign a new deal or leave.

De Gea is said to be unsure that a move away from Spain at his young age would be the best for him.

Schalke's Manuel Neuer had been on United's radar and shonme with his Champions League semi-final performance in Germany against United, though his second-leg display cooled the hype.

Bayern Munich have been favourites to land him and have just upped the price they are prepared to pay to £18m.

Meanwhile, following the signing of Anders Lindegaard from Aalesund in the January window, No2 Tomasz Kuszczak is expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer.

West Bromwich Albion are said to be keen to take him back to the Hawthorns.

Fergie: I almost joined Arsenal

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed how he turned down the chance to be Arsenal manager just months before taking over at the helm at United.
The offer came early in 1986 and Fergie was keen to take Walter Smith to the Gunners with him.
But Scotland's World Cup campaign in Mexico that year meant the move to Arsenal fell through.
The Old Trafford chief made the revelations in the match programme for Rangers’ Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash against Dundee United last night - Smith's final match in charge at Ibrox.
"I was offered the Arsenal job and I wanted to take Walter with me," Fergie revealed.
"I thought I would sound him out when we were on Scotland duty together. We were going to play in Israel and I didn't know that Walter was going to Rangers at that time.
"I told him that I had been offered the chance to go to Arsenal and I asked him what he thought. He was positive, saying they were a big club.
"So I said to him ‘Do you fancy coming with me?’ Then he dropped the bombshell that he was going to Rangers.
"The thing about the Arsenal offer was that they wanted an answer right away but I couldn’t give them one as I was going to the World Cup in Mexico with Scotland.
"So the Arsenal thing fell by the wayside. Walter went to Rangers and then later that year I went to Manchester United."

Xavi, Messi, Iniesta: Manchester United's Champions League conundrum

UNSTOPPABLE? Manchester United will hope not

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United must find a way of stopping Barcelona's own Holy Trinity if they are to stand any chance of winning the Champions League later this month.

With only a point required from their final two games to claim a record 19th league title, United are already looking towards the rematch of their 2009 final, when they were comfortably defeat by Pep Guardiola's all-star team.

The Catalans will be favourites this time around too.

And, whilst Ferguson has plenty of faith in his champions-elect, he realises Barcelona's main men have to be stopped.

"Obviously, Barcelona is the big one now," Ferguson told US-based satellite radio station Sirius XM.

"In the final last time we started off really well, then gave away a bad goal. After that Barcelona kept the ball very well, as they always do.

"What we have to do is find a solution to the Xavi-Messi-Iniesta problem.

"Everyone is searching for that because they are outstanding footballers. We have our share too.

"We have players who can cause any team a lot of bother and hopefully those attacking players will give Barcelona problems that everyone thinks they are going to give us."

Ferguson does look as though he will be picking from strength, with Wayne Rooney cleared to play in United's final two league games at Blackburn on Saturday and against Blackpool at Old Trafford - when the Premier League trophy will be presented - on May 22 after the FA accepted his claim that the gesture he made was questioning a linesman's eyesight rather than a reaction to the Chelsea supporters during United's 2-1 win.

The result was further proof that United may not quite be as bad as many people think, with Ferguson obviously the chief witness for the defence.

"Everyone has said this is not a good Manchester United team, that we are not this or that," he said.

"But we have scored more goals than anyone else. Our home form has been magnificent. We are undefeated in Europe. We are in the Champions League final and we will win the league by getting one more point.

"You have to put all the criticism to one side because I have to be realistic when I look at my team and ask 'Am I satisfied?'

"Those players have given me everything."

Nemanja Vidic: Manchester United critics will drive us to glory

Nemanja Vidic

 

Nemanja Vidic is a point away from hoisting his first trophy as Manchester United captain – and he thanks the Reds’ critics for creating the platform for the achievement.

The 30-year-old Serb has also warned rivals of the champions-elect that Sir Alex Ferguson’s much-maligned new generation of players will get even better next season.

In Fergie’s era as Old Trafford boss, only Gary Neville in November 2005 walked into a skipper’s job facing a more daunting task.

In the aftermath of Roy Keane’s controversial exit, Neville took possession of the armband in a time of transition and turmoil.

Last August, Vidic was officially named as the new captain with Fergie citing his appearance record as the reason for the appointment above Rio Ferdinand.

Vidic’s new assignment was made public days after Ferguson had learnt privately of Wayne Rooney’s stunning news that he didn’t want to sign a new Old Trafford contract.

When that became public knowledge, United were also dodging incoming flak from fans and critics alike as they stumbled along in the autumn.

Supporters and observers were also questioning that the modest £25m summer outlay to acquire Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Bebe was not enough to regain the Premier League title from Chelsea and have an impact in Europe.

Fergie and the Glazers were held responsible to varying degrees for not doing what was perceived as essential refurbishment on the squad.

Rooney’s contract saga also had the squad quality at its root. There was an atmosphere of simmering discontent.

But Vidic took the blows on the chin and his leadership helped the Reds absorb the punishment.

The £8m buy from Spartak Moscow in 2006 cites the tough appraisals as the fuel that fired the bid for a record-breaking 19th title and a place at Wembley in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

“Complements are not always good for you. Criticism can help a team,” Vidic told M.E.N. Sport.

“Back in early season there were people who were always trying to compare this team to other United teams. They were saying that we didn’t have the individuals like we used to and we were not as good.

“But you look at the names in this team and you think ‘how could they say that?’ I couldn’t agree with all that was going on then.

Positive

“We have never been focused on what people have been saying about us but you can still get benefits from it. It can be a positive.

“Sometimes criticism can help a side. It can drag you forward. You have to work harder to prove to your critics that anything they are saying is not true. That it is different to their opinions.

“It pushes you to work harder. If you are getting complements then that can have the opposite effect. It can relax you. You start believing what people are saying about you and you are not on top of your game. We have become better as a result of all the words that were said about us. We always had enormous belief and we’ve worked hard together defensively and in attack. It is all done as a team.

“If we win the title we will have proved to everyone that we are a very good team. We are nearly there now to prove them wrong.”

One more point from the Blackburn and Blackpool games and United will be confirmed as the 2011 champions. Vidic also believes there is so much more to come from the squad he leads.

“This team has space to grow. I think that next season we will be even better,” he said.

“You see we have so many young players. Fabio, Chicharito, Nani, Valencia, Rafael, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Anderson. We have a great big potential in this squad.

“This year they have proved themselves. It is a great squad and we can capitalise on what we have achieved.

“Some teams you feel you can grow up and improve. You sense there is the hunger and room to make progress. This team has it. We have good competition and crucial young players coming through. It is a great place to be.

“Players have the platform and back-up to be successful at this club. The environment of Old Trafford and all the people who work in it are geared for success.

“They have a winning mentality throughout the place. They are pushing and driving for success all the time.

“In terms of the playing side, the backroom staff want you to improve. As players, the coaching staff are always encouraging you to do better. They work with individuals to bring out the best in them and help them improve. It is all about getting every ounce out of everyone.

“This is a fantastic place to be to improve your game and be the best. It is especially so for young players. They have the chance to be at the best club and they have the support from the staff to ensure you get the best out of yourself.

“You are encouraged to work. The people who work with the players are always pushing you to move forward and progress. It is the mentality that sees United through so much. This team like all the others before them have a great hunger.”

Now Vidic stands on the threshold of having his picture adorning the walls of Carrington and Old Trafford as a league title winning skipper.

“It is great to be the captain of such a big club like United. To lift the trophy would be even bigger,” he said. “At United, it is all about success and if you don’t win the trophies it is not that exciting to be captain.
“Every trophy is so special. The first title I won in 2007 was the first time United had won the league in three or four years and that was very exciting. It was a first for me and the club got the league back. It was a great time. But this is a big achievement this year.

“I never dreamed of being captain at the club when I arrived. I never expected it. My target on arrival was just to play week in and week out.

“My mentality was to win the trophies as well but I never targeted the idea of me being first up to receive it. To be close to doing that is just amazing.”

Take a bow: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's gamble pays off

ALMOST THERE: Sir Alex Ferguson after full time against Chelsea

 

Manchester United's record 19th title was effectively won when Sir Alex Ferguson handed in his team sheet for the Champions LEague semi-final against Schalke last Wednesday.

The champions elect have a trip to Blackburn Rovers next Saturday and a final-day Old Trafford clash with Blackpool to come up with the point they need to confirm them as 2010-11 title winners.

And the Reds boss believes they as good as got themselves over the line against Chelsea thanks to his gamble of playing his shadow squad against the Germans last week in the semi-final second leg that booked United a Wembley date against Barcelona.

“I think the team selection in midweek won us the title. If we win the title that was it,” said Sir Alex who is on the verge of his 12th league crown.

“It was a brave decision to play a different team on Wednesday but it gave the team energy to really go for it against Chelsea.

“They really put some work in today. They were fantastic. So I am pleased at that decision.”

When Ferguson moved into the Old Trafford manager's chair in 1986 United had just seven league titles to the club's name.

The 26-year wait for a league was ended in 1993 and the Reds began to slowly make ground on Liverpool's total of 18 successes.

The United boss got slightly ahead of himself amid the euphoria of the 2-1 win against Chelsea when he said: “It's fantastic being the most successful team in the country in terms of championship victories.

“As soon as that one in 1993 the door opened to us. I would not have believed it (overcoming Liverpool's record of 18).

“Once we got that first title the door opened and we improved and improved.”

United got of to a storming start in what was billed as the title decider with Javier Hernandez scoring after 30 seconds.

And Fergie paid tribute to his £8m Mexican bargain, who took his tally to 20 in all competitions.

“It was a fantastic start,” he said. “It was a great pass from Ji-sung Park. But Chicarito has been fantastic. For the goal he shaped to bend it the other way but see Cech on his wrong foot a bit so he slid it the other side. It was fantastic,” Sir Alex added.

“I remember Paul Scholes saying to me in Houston on pre-season that Chicharito will get you 25 goals as a sub! He hasn't quite got it yet but there are still three games to go!

“We got nervous because we kept missing chances. It gave them a lifeline. We should have been out of sight. But that is the nature of Manchester United.”

Ferguson had praised referee Howard Webb as the best official in the country before the match but the World Cup whistler turned down two United penalty appeals.

“We should have had clear penalty kicks but we can always say that if we win the title we didn't need the referees to get us it and that is even more pleasing,” Fergie added.

Barcelona's bad acting will not be welcome against Manchester United

Spanish side like to roll around as much as the English like to tackle hard, but neither will have the moral high ground at Wembley

Referee Frank de Bleeckere tries to keep the peace between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Camp Nou.
In his earliest days at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo would react to tackles on the training ground with a yelp and sometimes a quick roll on the ground. His new team-mates – Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs among them – took him aside and advised him to be less theatrical: not out of righteousness, but because they knew it was the wrong signal for him to send to opponents in the Premier League. Ronaldo soon learned that amateur dramatics were a bad idea, because they incensed opposing fans, incited the media and encouraged the other team to kick chunks out of him and then call him effete for overreacting. There was the odd easy tumble to win a penalty but by the end he was a macho, domineering presence in the contact areas. A measure of Ronaldo's eminence is that he has thrived not only in La Liga but here in England, where his courage and tenacity are among our memories of him as he matured into a warrior. Now cut to the image of him brushing Barcelona's Gerard Piqué in Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg and then falling on to Javier Mascherano: a sequence that caused the referee to disallow a Real Madrid goal. This was Ronaldo operating on the edge of the culture he now plays in: a league where the attacking player is always inviting the match officials to punish defenders for challenges that might pass unnoticed here in rough-and-tumble England. The news from Iberia is that Spanish football folk think the English have a nerve to pontificate about cheating. Last week in the home of the world champions there was incredulity at the level of condemnation from Premier League spectators after Barcelona and Real had served up a European tie that was part fiesta, part drama workshop. To many in Europe, England is the home of the leg-breaking tackle, the two-footed karate leap and sanctimony over diving, which, they claim, occurs just as frequently in the Premier League but is exposed only when perpetrated by foreigners. That part is not fair. Diving is always flagged by the public and media in this country but it may be true that some England internationals are denounced less vehemently. Judgments in football are warped by allegiance, and tribalism, so some Barcelona fans are still not willing to countenance the accusation that their team has a theatrical streak. Instead they blame the antics of Dani Alves, Pedro and Sergio Busquets on the macho tackling of Real Madrid. Quite why two propositions cannot be true at once in the world's favourite game is my favourite mystery. Yes, Madrid tried to kick Barça out of the competition, and yes, some of Pep Guardiola's men responded by turning the tie into an audition for a war film. Spanish football is right to diagnose English distaste for the particular sin of exaggerating the weight of blow, rolling on the grass and clutching the face as if it has just been rearranged by a juggernaut. All across Premier League grounds fans chuntered about bad acting in the Barça-Real games. Which begs the question: is there a moral order of cheating, and does English football have any right to look down on it from Olympus? Not with Nigel de Jong on the loose, no. Or Lee Cattermole. Not when Eduardo, Aaron Ramsey and Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa have seen their legs mangled by "challenges" that express the hype and mania of the English game. Nor is "simulation" hardly absent from our fixtures. Sometimes Didier Drogba stays on the turf so long you wonder whether he is having a siesta. Old Dicky Attenborough, a Chelsea life-president, must admire the ease with which Drogba slips into character. Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen is among those who tried the new trick of hooking his foot round a defender's leg in full flight to make a fall inevitable and so deceive the referee. All across the Premier League officials now need to be detectives and assess intent, but without the tools that allow the armchair viewers to spot skulduggery. But that should not stop us wondering how Barcelona will approach the Champions League final against Manchester United, a fellow "footballing" side who are unlikely to employ force as a weapon, unless the Scholes radar malfunctions again, or José Antonio Reyes turns up in a Barça shirt. Our sensitivity to the tomfoolery in Guardiola's team is pious, to some degree, and maybe hypocritical (Spain would say), but it remains right to abhor the theatricality of Busquets, for example, who violates the spirit of the game. In the semi-final Barcelona could use the excuse that they needed protection from Real's violence. Nonsense, of course. A player who grips his face when his arm has been tapped is not calling for help from the police. He is conning every one of us. So there is not much for Barcelona to add to their manifesto for us to swoon even more. But in England, Spain or anywhere, people are entitled to hope the small core of actors in the world's best side will now hand in their Equity cards.

Crunch time: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in confident mood ahead of key Chelsea clash

Sir Alex Ferguson

 

Sir Alex Ferguson reckons his Champions League selection gamble will pay out against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Reds rested a host of key players - including Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - for the win over Schalke.

And Ferguson hopes the freshness that will provide will propel United to victory over Chelsea and a 19th league title.

Should United triumph over Carlo Ancelotti's men, they would still require a point from their final two games against Blackburn and Blackpool to achieve their objective.

But compared to beating a side that has claimed 25 points from their last 27, Ferguson regards that as a minor inconvenience.

"Everyone is aware of the magnitude of Sunday's game," said Ferguson.

"If we win, we should win the league.

"It is a game we are looking forward to. Last Sunday's result (at Arsenal) has certainly brought us an awareness of how important this week's game is.

"It is one of the reasons why I picked the team I did on Wednesday. I wanted to give us a real chance.

"We will have a fresh team on Sunday and that makes a difference at this time of the season.

"It should be a fantastic game."

Ferguson confirmed Wayne Rooney will be fit to play after resting a minor hamstring complaint in midweek.

However, midfielder Darren Fletcher is not going to start, even though he returned from a two-month absence with a virus by making a 20-minute substitute appearance in midweek.

Instead, Ferguson is looking towards the Champions League final against Barcelona on May 28 as Fletcher's long-term goal.

"Wednesday was a step forward but that 20 minutes was just to give him a boost really because the boy has a bit to do yet," said Ferguson.

"He has almost has three weeks to the final and that is his target.

"If he does reach it, it would be a great boost to us. As we all know he is a big game player.

"He won't start on Sunday but his training will be stepped up in terms of giving him the sharpness he needs.

"We have Blackburn and Blackpool in the Premier League and also Gary Neville's testimonial so there is some game time there that could help him to reach his target."