Player review: Park

Ji-sung Park proved again in 2009/10 that he's the man for the big occasion...

Story of the season Park’s first start came in the shock defeat at Burnley, before he suffered a knee injury in the 4-3 Manchester derby victory – just days after he’d signed a new three-year contract. The Korean spent the next two months in the treatment room and it was not until the latter half of the campaign that he came into his own. He reprised his 08/09 Champions League semi-final display at the Emirates by helping the Reds to another 3-1 victory over Arsenal in the league, then came two superb, destructive central-midfield performances against AC Milan, before his match-winning deeds against Liverpool (see below). An ankle injury disputed the end of his campaign, though he returned to net United's final goal of 09/10 against Stoke. And Sir Alex was fulsome in his praise of his no.13. “He’s one of these players that we can give roles to play and he does it because of his control and discipline,” said the Reds boss.

Finest moment Ji shone against Milan, but in the league it was the 'job' he did on our Merseyside rivals at Old Trafford, in his new advanced midfield role, that will live longest in the memory. Javier Mascherano was given no time on the ball and was kept busy tracking Park – only for the Korean to get on the end of a Darren Fletcher cross to seal victory. He was the star performer and deserved match-winner.

What’s in store? On the Korean’s current learning curve it surely won’t be long before he’s rivalling Wayne Rooney for the Golden Boot or taking over from Edwin van der Sar between the sticks. OK, so we exaggerate but there’s no doubt that Park continues to make huge strides each season. In fact, he’s fully expected to be a key player again in 2010/11 and beyond.

ManUtd.Com

 

Argentine ace primed for big money Manchester United move

Sergio Aguero is primed for a £51million move to Manchester United after suffering cup heartbreak with Atletico Madrid.

The Argentinean played in last nights 2-0 defeat against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey, and now Spanish reports are claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to pay the release fee in the forwards contract.

Chelsea have also been linked with Aguero, while Real Madrid maintain an interest and seem the most likely destination for the playmaker.

The 21-year-old has previously mentioned the fact that he would not have a problem moving to Atletico’s city rivals if the club needed to sell, however it's unlikely that they'll be getting the £51million quoted from anyone.

 

Mirrorfootball.co.uk

 

Berba will stay

Ferguson keeps faith in Berbatov

Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed any prospect of Dimitar Berbatov leaving Manchester United this summer and hinted that he will be leading their attack at the start of next season because Wayne Rooney will not be back in training early enough to play an immediate part. Ferguson's response when asked in a Canadian radio interview yesterday whether the Bulgarian would be leaving in the close season was unequivocal. "No, no, no, definitely not," he said... Alluding to the speculation linking Berbatov to Milan and Bayern Munich, Ferguson said: "The problem with a club like Manchester United is the expectation and attention is always there. There's speculation every season and some of them have you signing 100 players. You have to deal with that. There's been a lot [written] on Berbatov in terms of his future but we know he is a good player. He is a fantastic footballer and he will be with us next year."

Ian Herbert, The Independent

In the same Canadian radio interview, the boss said he's preparing to start next season without United's World Cup stars. The Daily Mail run the quotes: "The World Cup could be very draining for players as it is the biggest tournament of their lives. We will give all the players involved a 28-day rest after the last game they play in and we will start the season without them. The squad that goes on our pre-season tour will be the squad that starts the season." We're not quite sure how the paper came to its "Fergie tells stars to take August off" headline, though: by our calculations, even if anybody reaches the World Cup final on 11 July they'll be back at Carrington before the new season kicks off.

Player review: Giggs

After dazzling in the centre of midfield in 2008/09, Ryan Giggs reverted to what he knows best last season: terrifying full-backs.

Story of the season Used primarily on the wing during 2009/10, Ryan continually demonstrated the value of experience. He was United's best player during September and remained one of the Reds' most consistent performers until February when, in a challenge with Steve Sidwell at Villa Park, he fractured his right arm and missed five weeks of football. The injury forced Giggs out of key European ties, as well as the Carling Cup final (he'd played a key role in nudging the Reds towards Wembley with a goal against Manchester City in the semi-final first leg), but he returned in late March to drive United's relentless (yet ultimately unsuccessful) bid for a fourth consecutive title.

Finest moment With the title very much in the balance when Tottenham came to OT in April, and top spot beckoning (albeit only temporarily), it was Giggs who stepped forward to assume penalty duties in Wayne Rooney's absence.

 

Despite never taking a spot-kick in 20 league seasons, he coolly despatched both attempts to earn three points and keep the Reds well and truly in the hunt for silverware. “His composure showed itself in those penalties,” Sir Alex said. “Experience gives you that.”

Greatest asset Ever seen Giggs flustered? Didn’t think so. When tackles are flying in from all angles or crowds are baying for blood, Giggsy invariably puts his foot on the ball, slows things down and plays a simple pass. Like fellow veteran Paul Scholes, he’s a master of dictating a game’s pace and picking the right moment to move in for the kill.

What’s in store? It’s incredible to think some United fans were calling for Ryan to retire back in 2002. Instead, he remains one of the first names on Sir Alex’s teamsheet. And thanks to a contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least summer 2011, United fans can continue to enjoy one of the most talented footballers to ever grace the English game.

ManUtd.Com

 

 

Barca plot £80m Rooney bid

Barcelona are plotting a sensational £80m bid to lure Wayne Rooney to Spain, according to reports in today's papers.

The Catalan giants are about to tie up a deal for David Silva, and are actively pursuing Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but have also set their sights on landing the England striker.

Rooney is currently away in Austria with the England squad but Barca are reported to have already started making enquiries about bringing him to the Nou Camp.

Manager Pep Guardiola is determined to lead Barca back to the top of European football after they surrendered their Champions League crown when Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan knocked them out of the competition in the semi-finals.

Rooney is under contract at United until 2012 and is happy at the club but Barca believe the thought of playing alongside Lionel Messi in such a star-studded team would appeal to the former Everton star, who has had to carry much of the goalscoring burden this season after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

They also believe an £80m could tempt the Glazer family to do business, as the club struggle to keep up repayments on their massive debts.

Man United in battle with Real Madrid for Di Maria and Silva

Angel Di Maria and David Silva will both snub a move to Manchester United in favour of Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants will only sign one of them.

Real have made signing a left-winger their highest priority this summer, and according to Spanish daily AS, they would be willing to meet the £35million buyout clause in Di Maria’s Benfica contract.

They same paper also reports that Silva is waiting for the appointment of Jose Mourinho at Real in order to push through a move from Valencia.

But as EuroSpy told you yesterday, the Special One is likely to prefer a bid for his fellow countryman Di Maria, meaning the path could be clear for United to swoop for Silva.

The 24-year-old, who would cost in the region of £25million, has enjoyed a successful season for Los Che, scoring 10 and assisting 12 in their march to third place in La Liga

 

 

 

Fergie unlikely to spend big

Sir Alex Ferguson may add just one more player to his Manchester United squad this summer as he plots to regain the Barclays Premier League title from Chelsea.

United chief executive David Gill has indicated funds are available to his manager to spend this summer, but Ferguson revealed he is happy with the balance of his squad, which finished a point behind Chelsea in the title race.

Speaking alongside Gill at a press conference in New York to promote United's four-game North American tour this summer, Ferguson said: "In the market today it's very, very difficult and the structure of our squad is good in terms of ages, the balance, the numbers and there's a lot of good young players."

He added: "Sometimes you have to trust in all the development of the last few years and I'm going to stick with that, or most of it.

"There may be one signing and maybe we'd like to get a good player to the club, of course, but it's not easy in the present day climate and I've nothing definite to tell you because we're still assessing whoever's available and the difficulties in terms of who you'd bring in."

The United manager has already signed rising Mexican star Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara and defender Chris Smalling from Fulham, and a raft of new faces had been expected to follow.

But Ferguson will place his trust in his existing squad and his latest crop of youth and reserve players if he is unable to pinpoint any new signings.

Gill added: "Hernandez and Smalling are signings we've already made and the other point to bear in mind is that the Premier League is bringing in squad limits next year of 25, which we clearly operate [in European competitions] but is now coming to the Premier League.

"There will be unlimited under-21s and other rules and we'll be taking all that into consideration."