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."

 

Man United failed in last-gasp Villa bid

Manchester United failed in an 11th hour bid to steal David Villa from under the noses of Barcelona.

The Spanish striker, who has just completed a £35million move to the Catalan giants, was being tracked by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Valencia have now confirmed that an English club made a last ditch attempt to sign the 28-year-old.

“We had a significant offer from England that was not Chelsea,” said Valencia president Manuel Llorente.

“But Barcelona was best for us and the player. Villa has given us a lot and he deserves this move, especially if you consider that he wanted to stay in Spain.”

 

mirrorfootball.co.uk

 

Alex £15m move for Rodders

MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to go to war with Everton over Jack Rodwell.

Toffees boss David Moyes has issued a clear 'not for sale' sign over his young midfield star.

But United are determined to go ahead with a £15million bid.

United boss Alex Ferguson was close to making a move for the player in the January transfer window.

Now he wants the 19-year-old to strengthen his team who surrendered the title to Chelsea this season and went out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.

Moyes is trying to convince the England Under-21 international that he is at the best place to develop, having come through the ranks of the Everton academy.

The club are also looking to sign him on a new improved deal in a further attempt to keep him.

But that might still not be enough if the player wants to move.

Moyes said: "Are we susceptible? Of course we are, because people look at us and think, 'We can go to Everton and take their best players'.

"But, as far as we are concerned, Jack will be here next season."

Player review: Rooney

2009/10 will be remembered as the season Wayne Rooney’s career went stratospheric.

Story of the season: Deployed in an advanced, central role (often on his own), Rooney’s focus for 09/10 shifted squarely towards finding the net. But any doubts over his ability to adapt to a role that asked him to curb his natural desire to chase the ball all over the pitch were erased as soon as the new season kicked off. He netted six goals in United’s first six league games, including strikes against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. But this wasn’t the streaky striker we’d seen before, a player who went on incredible scoring runs only to hit an extended dry patch. Rooney maintained his phenomenal record across the season, with scant regard for the opposition’s pedigree. Only an ankle injury picked up in the final game of March curbed his scoring… and impacted hugely on the Reds' trophy ambitions.

Finest moment: Always inspiring, Rooney’s talismanic qualities were perhaps most evident in January when Hull City came to Old Trafford. At a time when the media were heaping pressure on the Reds after defeats in cup competitions to Leeds United and Manchester City, Rooney ensured United’s league ambitions wouldn’t be dealt a similar blow by single-handedly destroying Hull with his first four-goal haul of his professional career. In United’s next league outing, at Arsenal, Rooney was inspirational again, turning in a performance Sir Alex described as “world class” and netting a stunning strike, later voted Goal of the Season.

What's in store: Where do you go after a season like 2009/10? Rooney’s individual accolades will only inspire him further. Next season he may well add the Ballon d’Or to the list. It’s certainly within his grasp.

ManUtd.Com

Ajax tell Man United: Suarez will cost you £35m

Manchester United have been told to stump up £35million if they want to prise Luis Suarez away from Ajax.

The Dutch club’s general manager, Rik van den Boog, will be hoping his extravagant demands for the Uruguayan forward will be enough to keep the Red Devils at bay, who were linked with a £20million bid for Suarez at the weekend.

However, even though the 23-year-old’s agent has claimed that United have not yet made a formal offer for the hitman, Sir Alex Ferguson will feel confident that a bid of around £20million will be enough to land the man who hit 35 goals in the Eredivisie last season.

Man United and Everton face fight for France winger

PSG have tried to pip Manchester United and Everton in the race to sign Hatem Ben Arfa.

The French giants made a cheeky enquiry for the Marseille winger, but were immediately knocked back by the £10million asking price.

However, after Ben Arfa was cut from Raymond Domenech’s World Cup squad on Monday night, the decision may soon be out of L’OM’s hands.

The 23-year-old is reportedly devastated by his omission, and could try to force through a move to a top European club in order to increase his chances with the national team, meaning United and Everton would go back to pole position.

Player review: Berbatov

Berba continued to polarise opinion in the stands during 2009/10, despite his undeniable contribution to United’s quest for silverware…

Story of the season: He has had his critics since he swapped White Hart Lane for Old Trafford, but there is no denying the valuable contribution Dimitar Berbatov has made to the United cause over the last two campaigns, both as a scorer and creator of goals. He began five of the opening 10 games alongside Wayne Rooney last season, but Sir Alex’s decision to deploy a 4-5-1 formation, spearheaded by Rooney, in United’s most important clashes ultimately led to the Bulgarian playing a reduced role as the season progressed. Nevertheless, when called upon, the striker proved he was more than capable of leading the line himself with his performances at Wolves and Bolton, and at home to Tottenham catching the eye. Indeed, United’s 4-0 victory at the Reebok included Berba’s first double for the club (on the back of a Man of the Match display against Fulham), while it was his marauding run down the left wing that led to the opening goal in the crucial win over his former club in April. He fired a couple of exquisite strikes during the season, with his scissor-kick against Sunderland and shot on the turn against Blackburn both shortlisted for United’s Goal of the Season.

Finest moment: Facing his former club in the penultimate home match, Berbatov soared in the sunshine and dazzled Spurs into conceding the first of two penalties converted by Ryan Giggs. His performance was of the creative kind that persuaded Sir Alex to part with all that cash. And showing a more physical side, Berbatov made up for the easy ride given to Chelsea’s Alex and Terry by dishing it out to Dawson and King.

What’s in store: Speculation about an ignominious summer exit for United’s record buy was rife at the business end of 2009/10. However, Sir Alex seems loathe to let the Bulgarian go; he remains appreciative of Dimitar’s capability for brilliance and the education his experience could bring to a burgeoning crop of young strikers at Old Trafford.

ManUtd.Com