Manchester Utd

Glazer recuperating after stroke
Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer has been released from hospital after suffering a stroke on Easter Sunday. The 78-year-old American, who bought the club for £790m last summer, was admitted to Florida's Cleveland Clinic on 16 April after suffering the attack. Glazer is still suffering from impaired speech and a lack of mobility in his right arm and leg. A statement released by his son, Joel, said: "Doctors expect his condition to improve with rehabilitation." Glazer, who is also the owner and president of NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has yet to attend a United game in person. He has delegated responsibility for liaising with the Premiership club to sons Joel, Avi and Bryan, who are all on the United board. Glazer's health scare will come as a shock to fans of both United and the Buccaneers because at no stage over the past week has there been any indication he was ill. "On behalf of the entire Glazer family, I want to thank everyone at the Cleveland Clinic for their outstanding care," added Joel Glazer on the United website. United officials have been eager to play down the impact Glazer's illness has had on the day-to-day running of the Old Trafford outfit. Glazer took control of United in May 2005 after a two-year battle, securing more than 70% of the club's shares. He became a hate figure amongst a section of United fans who were bitterly opposed to the takeover, claiming it would saddle the club with huge debts. Glazer has since increased his shareholding to 98%.

Man Utd confirm itinerary of tour
Manchester United have confirmed the itinerary for their pre-season tour of South Africa. Sir Alex Ferguson's team will open their 10-day tour by taking on Orlando Pirates in Durban on July 15. They then travel to face Kaizer Chiefs in Cape Town on July 18 before rounding off in Pretoria on July 22 against the winners of a Chiefs-Pirates game. United have told organisers they will include no players involved from the World Cup quarter-finals onwards. The travelling party is almost certain to be captained by Ryan Giggs and is likely to include Paul Scholes, John O'Shea and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton was present at the tour launch in Johannesburg on Tuesday. He said: "While several of our first-team regulars will have been involved in the World Cup for their respective countries we are confident there will be many familiar faces on the tour." United will also compete in the four-team Amsterdam tournament on the first weekend in August.

Keane testimonial match sold out
Celtic star Roy Keane's testimonial against his former club Manchester United at Old Trafford on 9 May is a 68,000 sell-out. An estimated 25,000 Celtic fans will travel to the game - the biggest away support at a British game - and have been allocated the entire North Stand. The match is expected to break all records for receipts in benefit games. Keane, who is yet to confirm which team he will play for in the game, will donate the profits to charity.

MS footballer to finish marathon
A former England footballer who suffers from multiple sclerosis is due to complete the London Marathon. Danny Wallace's soccer career ended when he was struck down with the neurological condition 10 years ago. The 44-year-old ex-Manchester United and Southampton player has taken six days to complete the 26.2 mile route. Former boxer Michael Watson, who completed the marathon in seven days in 1991 after being in a coma following a fight, will greet him at the finish. Wallace has taken part in the marathon to raise money for the Danny Wallace Foundation which researches multiple sclerosis and helps sufferers. Castle completes Next year he wants to secure several places for the charity. Wallace is not the last person to finish the marathon - Lloyd Scott is walking the marathon dressed as St George wearing a full suit of armour and towing an 8ft dragon. He is expecting to take eight days to reach the finish line. On Thursday Lynn Aston, who has to take oxygen 24-hours-a-day due to a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, completed the marathon. And on Friday, former tennis player and GMTV host Andrew Castle finished his run after collapsing at the 25-mile point on the day of the race. He blamed a lack of food on his inability to finish on Sunday.

Chelsea v Man Utd
Eidur Gudjohnsen returns to the Chelsea squad after missing the FA Cup semi-final through illness. Midfielder Maniche is available after serving a three-match ban and Petr Cech is likely to return in goal. Gabriel Heinze's hopes of first-team action before the end of the campaign were dashed after picking up a groin injury in a midweek reserve game. Louis Saha has recovered from an ankle injury to battle for a place with Ruud van Nistelrooy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea: (from) Cech, Cudicini, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Huth, Del Horno, Gallas, Makelele, Lampard, Essien, Geremi, Maniche, Duff, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Robben, Drogba, Crespo. Man Utd: (from) Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Evra, Ronaldo, Giggs, O'Shea, Richardson, Park, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rossi, Pique. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on bouncing back from the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool: "We've had a good time in training this week, working hard. Last Saturday's gone and now all we can do is achieve the remarkable feat of putting back-to-back titles together. "I always enjoy training and everybody has been looking good. It's going to be a big game in Chelsea history. "Everyone wants to be playing but it is down to the manager and he has a fully fit squad more or less to pick from." Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand: "We know we need to start well next time round and to do that we need to make sure we finish well. "Saturday's game is a massive one for us. They'll obviously be trying to win the league but it's up to us to try and delay that for as long as possible. "They've been very consistent this season and deserve credit for that. We could have put a bit more pressure on them if we hadn't slipped up against Sunderland but it wasn't to be."

Man Utd 0-0 Middlesbrough
Ruud van Nistelrooy's missed penalty proved costly for Manchester United as they were held to a draw by a spirited Middlesbrough side. Van Nistelrooy stepped up after Lee Cattermole's handball - but Brad Jones brilliantly saved his spot-kick. Otherwise United were short of ideas in front of goal and clearly missed the injured Wayne Rooney. The draw pushes United a point clear of Liverpool in the race for second place in the Premiership, with one game left. Sir Alex Ferguson's men also have a better goal difference than their rivals from Merseyside, and a win at home to Charlton on Sunday will clinch them second spot. But Ferguson must hope for a better performance from his side than the one he saw here, with Boro creating as many chances as the home side. Rooney's absence with a broken foot meant United paired Louis Saha and Van Nistelrooy up front. They failed to make much headway in the early stages, with Boro making the brighter start. Stewart Downing set up Massimo Maccarone but his shot was deflected wide and Fabio Rochemback also went close soon after when he cut inside John O'Shea before unleashing a low shot that forced a low diving save from Edwin van der Sar. At the other end Gary Neville's driven cross found its way to Ryan Giggs at the back post - but the Welsh winger could not control his shot. Another Neville cross had earlier found its way to Ji-Sung Park but his first-time effort ended up horribly high and wide of Jones' goal. United's best chance of the first-half came just before the interval when Van Nistelrooy found space on the edge of the area but blazed his shot over the bar. Boro continued to come forward after the break and Van der Sar had to make another smart save to keep out Downing's thunderbolt from the edge of the area. The introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo from the United bench brought an extra dimension to the United attack and they enjoyed their best spell of the match just after the hour mark. Ronaldo had already brought a fine save out of Jones when Cattermole inexplicably handled Ryan Giggs' cross in the box, leaving referee Chris Foy no choice but to point to the spot. Van Nistelrooy chose to take a short run up before picking his spot - but Jones flung himself to his right and pushed the ball away. John O'Shea almost made up for the Dutch striker's miss when he fired narrowly wide from a tight angle, but Boro survived again. Boro were penned back in their own half for most of the final 15 minutes but United could find no way through. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "We started slowly but in the second half we showed far more urgency and we should have won the game. "They made it difficult for us but we get a lot of teams doing that and it is up to us to break them down. "Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty miss was disappointing. You expect him to score but we let them off the hook." Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren: "I am delighted with the result and delighted with the performance. "Our performance against Everton with a very young team was excellent and we didn't get the result. It was excellent here and we got a decent result. "The team is maturing. We are a young side but it is getting experience and we are growing in belief." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Park (Ronaldo 56), O'Shea, Giggs, Evra (Richardson 56), Saha (Rossi 81), van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Howard, Vidic. Booked: Neville, Silvestre. Middlesbrough: Jones, Parnaby, Riggott, Bates, Queudrue (Taylor 64), Morrison (Christie 72), Cattermole, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Maccarone (Parlour 80). Subs Not Used: Wheater, Knight. Booked: Bates, Rochemback. Att: 69,531 Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).

Ferguson warns Eriksson on Rooney
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson over his belief Wayne Rooney can play in the World Cup. Ferguson said: "We will do our best to get the boy to Germany but if he is not fit, he is not going to go. "In six weeks' time Rooney will have another two weeks to get fit to play in the quarter-final of a World Cup. That is a wild dream. "Sven saying he'll take Wayne fit or not was something we didn't want." Eriksson has indicated he will probably take Rooney to Germany whether he is fit or not. Ferguson has not yet spoken to Eriksson about Rooney's injury, which was sustained in United's defeat at Chelsea on Saturday. "I have left messages on his phone but I have not spoken to him," said Ferguson. "But obviously the club will deal directly with the Football Association and make sure they are kept fully informed of Wayne's progress. "We are doing a CAT scan on him on Wednesday and he will get that checked every week." Ferguson accepts Rooney's absence would harm Eriksson's hopes of success this summer. "Without doubt it is a crippling blow for England," he said. "When you see brave players staying down after a tackle you know it's genuine and he's in pain and that's what I felt with Wayne. "At first we didn't think it was too bad, but when we sent him for the scan it identified the problem and we realised what a blow it was for the boy and for England. "I spoke to Wayne on Saturday and he was obviously a bit down, but I told him these things happen." The injury is the same one that ended Rooney's Euro 2004 campaign - but Ferguson knows the timing is even worse for him this time. He added: "I would think this injury is even more of a killer-blow to him because he knows he is missing major tournaments. "This time round it is even worse because he is more mature and is a more rounded player who has improved dramatically over the last two years. So it is a real, real blow." He explained: "I have tried to get hold of Sven so I can give him as clear an opinion from us as possible because he will be reading a lot of stuff in the newspapers. "We have spoken to the England doctor and I think it is important that I give as much as information as I can to Sven to make sure he is absolutely clear on what road he can take. "Wayne will be in plaster for the next few weeks and he'll be having regular scans to see how it is healing." The Scot added he was unhappy that Rooney had been saddled with such a burden of national expectation. "I said a few weeks ago that I didn't want to see this kind of pressure on a lad of 20," said Ferguson. "Other more experienced players such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, should be taking the mantle. "If England don't have Wayne Rooney they will need to look at getting inspiration from other players."

June deadline for injured Rooney
England will be allowed to replace Wayne Rooney in their World Cup squad up until 24 hours before their opening match against Paraguay on 10 June. Fifa confirmed that their regulations allow for a player to be substituted provided the governing body is supplied with evidence of serious injury. If a replacement is called up Rooney would take no part in the tournament. Eriksson has to name his 23-man squad for Germany on 15 May, but will announce a provisional squad on 8 May. A Fifa spokesman told Sir Stanley: "It's the same as any other Fifa competition. "With a medical report, players who are on the official list, as of 15 May can be replaced up to 24 hours prior to each team's first match." Eriksson has said he will take Rooney even if there is just a possibility of playing him in the tournament. But Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said that it is a "wild dream" to think that Rooney would be fit. England kick-off in their opening Group B match against Paraguay at 1400 BST on 10 June. England also have concerns over Rooney's strike partner Michael Owen and defender Ledley King, both of whom have also broken bones in feet. Ashley Cole and John Terry are expected to be available for Germany despite the Arsenal left-back having just returned from injury and the Chelsea centre-back damaging an ankle over the weekend.

FA denies Ferguson rift on Rooney
The Football Association says there is no dispute between Sir Alex Ferguson and Sven-Goran Eriksson over Wayne Rooney's place in the World Cup squad. England coach Eriksson says he wants to include Rooney in his squad despite his broken foot, but Ferguson says United are in a better position to judge. "There has been very good communication between Sir Alex and Sven. There is no rift," said an FA spokesman. "We're working on what's best for Manchester United, England and Wayne." Rooney broke the fourth metatarsal bone in his right foot late in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea. The early diagnosis was that he would be out for six weeks, exactly the period of time between him suffering the injury and England's opening World Cup match, against Paraguay on June 10. Eriksson has indicated he will take Rooney to Germany for the tournament whether or not he is fit, but Ferguson took a far more cautious approach. "We will do our best to get the boy to Germany but if he is not fit, he is not going to go," said Ferguson. "In six weeks' time Rooney will have another two weeks to get fit to play in the quarter-final of a World Cup. That is a wild dream. "Sven saying he'll take Wayne fit or not was something we didn't want." Ferguson said he had not yet had a chance to talk to Eriksson directly. "I have left messages on his phone but I have not spoken to him," said Ferguson. "I have tried to get hold of Sven so I can give him as clear an opinion from us as possible because he will be reading a lot of stuff in the newspapers. "We have spoken to the England doctor and I think it is important that I give as much as information as I can to Sven to make sure he is absolutely clear on what road he can take. "Wayne will be in plaster for the next few weeks and he'll be having regular scans to see how it is healing." "But obviously the club will deal directly with the Football Association and make sure they are kept fully informed of Wayne's progress. "We are doing a CAT scan on him on Wednesday and he will get that checked every week." Ferguson accepts Rooney's absence would harm Eriksson's hopes of success this summer. "Without doubt it is a crippling blow for England," he said. "When you see brave players staying down after a tackle you know it's genuine and he's in pain and that's what I felt with Wayne. "At first we didn't think it was too bad, but when we sent him for the scan it identified the problem and we realised what a blow it was for the boy and for England. The injury is the same one that ended Rooney's Euro 2004 campaign - but Ferguson says the timing of this one is even worse. "I would think this injury is even more of a killer-blow to him because he knows he is missing major tournaments," he said. "He's a more mature, more rounded player who has improved dramatically over the last two years." Ferguson said he was unhappy with the burden of expectation placed upon Rooney. "I said a few weeks ago that I didn't want to see this kind of pressure on a lad of 20," said Ferguson. "Other more experienced players such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, should be taking the mantle. "If England don't have Wayne Rooney they will need to look at getting inspiration from other players."

Rooney awaits second scan on foot
Wayne Rooney is awaiting the results of a second scan on his injured foot as the England striker refuses to give up on his hopes of making the World Cup. Rooney, 20, broke the fourth metatarsal in his right foot as Manchester United lost 3-0 to Chelsea on Sunday and he faces at least six weeks out of action. The scan will enable United and the Football Association's doctors to learn more about the extent of the fracture. Rooney said: "I'm in great hands and I'll get the best possible chance." He added on MUTV: "You've just got to get on with it and be positive. "I'm obviously devastated to have broken my foot at this moment in time, it really is horrible. "I'll be coming in for treatment every day and trying to give myself the best possible chance." United's medical staff are in charge of Rooney's treatment and England's team doctors are liaising with them over the forward's fitness. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has to name his 23-man squad for Germany on 15 May but will announce a provisional squad on 8 May. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is wary of building up expectations Rooney could overcome his injury in time to play in Germany this summer. Ferguson appears to have been angered by Eriksson's claim that Rooney will be taken to Germany even if there is an outside chance he may figure if England advance through to the knockout stages. England's first group game at the World Cup is against Paraguay on 10 June. A metatarsal injury ended Rooney's Euro 2004 campaign in Portugal.

Rooney needs a miracle - Eriksson
Wayne Rooney has "more than one fracture" and maybe needs a "miracle" to be fit for the World Cup, according to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. The Manchester United striker has since had a second scan on his metartarsal. Eriksson said: "I knew yesterday that he had more than one fracture. Miracles happen in life now and then, but I don't really know." United believe Rooney is six weeks away from training but Eriksson is still set to include him in his squad. England and Manchester United's medical teams meet on Thursday to discuss Rooney's chances of making the finals. Rooney broke his foot against Chelsea on Saturday and an initial scan after the match revealed just one fracture. And reports suggesting that the 20-year-old would definitely miss the World Cup have been played down by United. A statement said: "Despite stories in the press we believe Wayne is still six weeks away from full training." Eriksson added: "I will probably name him on Monday. It will be 26 or maybe 27 players. "I will not rule him out until the doctors tell me there is no chance. No-one wants that to happen, everyone hopes he can take part in the World Cup at some stage." Eriksson confirmed that Rooney would remain at his club to receive treatment for the duration of his recovery. "I will be updated on Thursday because our doctor goes to Manchester to see Mike Stone."

Oxygen chamber used to aid Rooney
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Wayne Rooney will use an oxygen chamber in his bid to recover from a broken foot. Rooney faces an anxious wait before learning whether he will be fit enough to go to the World Cup with England. "It won't do any harm. Everything is worth a try at this stage," said Manchester United boss Ferguson. But Sven-Goran Eriksson has vowed to take the 20-year-old to Germany even if he is only fit for England's ultimate target - the final on 9 July. Earlier this week, the Football Association was forced to deny reports of a rift with United over the best way to treat Rooney, and Ferguson said the two camps were working together. "There is an open dialogue between ourselves and England," said Ferguson. "They will get an update every week on how he is doing and if they want to send a physio or a doctor up they are free to do so. "As I have said all along, we will do our very best to help Wayne get there. It is in our interests, as well as England's, to do that." Ferguson confirmed Rooney suffered two breaks to the same metatarsal when he went over on his foot at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but said confirmation of the second break would have no effect on the player's recovery programme. "The break he has got in the fourth metatarsal is a small fracture but the one slightly above it is nothing to worry about at all," he said. "It doesn't affect the recovery, there is no damage there at all." Ferguson stated there would be no deadline placed on Rooney regarding his fitness for the World Cup. "In a few weeks time we will send him back for another scan. If it has healed then we have the progress we want. If it has not healed, there is nothing you can do about it. "We will do our very best to get him there. It is in our interests as well as England's to do that. But we want him to do himself justice and we will not jeopardise the boy."

Lyon eye Van Nistelrooy swap deal
Lyon could be prepared to do a deal with Manchester United for midfielder Mahamadou Diarra - in part exchange for striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. The French side are believed to want £25m for the 24-year-old from Mali but could accept a cash-plus-player deal. "It is sure Lyon are interested in Van Nistelrooy," club official Bernard Lacombe told the Daily Star. "It'll be a complicated financial deal unless we can exchange one of our players, like Diarra." Diarra is reportedly a United target with manager Sir Alex Ferguson seeing the midfielder as a long-term replacement for Roy Keane, who left the club by mutual consent last November. Meanwhile, speculation continues that Van Nistelrooy's career at Old Trafford may be over after he was left out for the final Premiership match of the season against Charlton and then banned from appearing in Keane's testimonial against Celtic last week.

Keane hard to replace - Ferguson
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he must look abroad for Roy Keane's successor as there are no suitable players in Britain. Ferguson's teams have been inspired by midfielders like Keane, who joined Celtic in January, and Bryan Robson. But Ferguson told MUTV: "There is no-one like that in the game. There are good players but not a Keane-type. "When Bryan came to the end, we looked for a new Bryan and we were lucky to get Roy. That scenario is on us again." Lyon's £24m-rated midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is reported to be top of Ferguson's wanted list, with Villarreal playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and Aldo Duscher of Valencia also linked with moves to Old Trafford. And Ferguson says the fact that Keane's successor is likely to be foreign will make him an even harder act to follow. "Even though Roy was from the Republic of Ireland, it was like he was British, so there was no problem in terms of his culture and the language," added Ferguson. "When we look abroad, we have to take into consideration that he is not going to be a Roy Keane in terms of his influence in the dressing room because of culture, language, things like that. "It will be a different type of player but hopefully it will be somebody who has the qualities that we need."

Ferguson makes new Rooney warning
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated his view that England should not take Wayne Rooney to the World Cup unless he is 100% fit. The 20-year-old United striker was included in England's 23-man squad, which was rubber-stamped on Monday, despite having broken a bone in a foot. Ferguson told MUTV: "You cannot take anyone half-fit to a World Cup, I think that happened with David Beckham. "We have assisted Wayne. He didn't enjoy the oxygen chamber but tried it." Ferguson revealed that his concerns over Rooney are partly fuelled by Manchester United's self-interest in having the United star fit for next season. He added: "A lot of people might think I am selfish but Wayne is the most important player in the team at Manchester United. "We have to ensure the boy is going to be fit at the start of the season for us, so we all become selfish in that respect. "England are selfish and Manchester United are selfish because they want the best for their operation." Ferguson also doubted the effectiveness of subjecting the England striker to an oxygen chamber in an attempt to hasten the cure of his broken metatarsal. The United boss said: "They have not got conclusive evidence the oxygen chamber actually works but there is nothing against it. "Everything is worth trying and that is what we are doing with Wayne. "He is in good hands. He has got the boot off and he is walking normally now, which is good news. "So you never know but I certainly think it is very important for the boy not to go half-fit, or even three-quarters fit, and not do himself or England justice."

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