Manchester Utd

Ronaldinho & Rooney scoop awards
Barcelona forward Ronaldinho has been named FIFPro's World Player of the Year, with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney winning the young player award. Chelsea trio John Terry, Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele won places in the World XI line-up, which was voted for by their fellow professionals. Cristiano Ronaldo won a special young player award and Pele was honoured with the FIFPro legend award. The awards were held at a glittering gala ceremony in London. Football's top stars were at the awards, held at BBC Television Centre, as well as a host of celebrities, including actress Minnie Driver, singer Rachel Stevens and model Jerry Hall. Ronaldinho was the 2004 Fifa World Player of the Year and was instrumental in Barcelona's La Liga triumph last season. And the Brazil international said of his FIFPro triumph: "I'm delighted to win this award." The 25-year-old added that he was not surprised three Chelsea players had made the World XI. "The Premiership is one of the best and strongest leagues in the world. "Chelsea, together with Real Madrid, AC Milan, Barcelona and Liverpool, are the best teams in the world." Rooney has endured a difficult week after his red card playing for Manchester United in their Champions League draw at Villarreal last Wednesday. But he was a star performer for England at Euro 2004 and last season for Manchester United after his transfer from Everton. And after receiving the award the 19-year-old said: "It is a great honour and I would like to thank all the players who voted for me. "My team-mates have been fantastic since I've moved to Manchester United and I'm always trying to get better as a player." England colleague Lampard believes Rooney should ignore recent criticism of his aggressive style and continue to play the same way he always does. "He's got an edge to his game and if you lose it you lose a lot of Wayne," said Lampard. "Of course we will miss him for the World Cup game against Austria, he has been voted the best young player in the world and there's a reason for that. "He's a great player, a very rare one as he can change a game in an instant." England international Rooney was one of 12 names on their young player award shortlist, along with Premiership trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Arjen Robben. Chelsea pair Petr Cech and Terry were on the 55-strong shortlist for the world player of the year award, as was Arsenal's Thierry Henry and England skipper David Beckham. The shortlist for the World XI comprised eight Chelsea players, six from Manchester United, four from Arsenal and one from Liverpool. FIFpro is the worldwide representative organisation for professional players. With the exception of Ronaldo's award, which was decided by the public, the winners were voted for by their fellow professionals through the global umbrella organisation of players unions. Between April and July 38,000 professional footballers, who belong to the 40-strong player organisations across the world which go to form FIFPro, voted in a secret ballot to select the world XI. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIFPro World XI. Goalkeeper: Nelson Dida (Brazil/AC Milan) Defenders: Cafu (Brazil/AC Milan) Alessandro Nesta (Italy/ AC Milan) John Terry (England/Chelsea) Paolo Maldini (Italy/AC Milan) Midfielders: Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona) Frank Lampard (England/Chelsea) Claude Makelele (France/Chelsea) Zinedine Zidane (France/Real Madrid) Forwards: Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Barcelona) Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine/AC Milan)

Lyn optimistic over Obi transfer
Norwegian club Lyn Oslo expect the uncertainty over Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi's move to Manchester United to be resolved next month. Obi will become a United player in January if the transfer is ratified by Fifa's dispute resolution chamber. The 18-year-old claims he was put under pressure to sign for United, and says he wants to join Chelsea instead. "We've gone about things in the right way and have nothing to be ashamed of," said Lyn's Morgan Andersen. Obi, who won the Silver Ball at the World Youth Championship in Holland, signed for Manchester United on 29 April. But the deal was thrown into doubt when the player said he had been pressured into signing a deal reportedly worth £4m, allegations which both United and Lyn have strenuously denied. Obi absconded from Lyn in May but returned to the club at the start of September after Fifa said he had to "immediately resume duties with Lyn Oslo FC". United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill met Lyn football director Andersen in Oslo on Monday to finalise a joint submission which must be handed to Fifa by 30 September. "Mr Ferguson and David Gill came here for discussions on the best way to prepare our case, just as I flew out to Manchester for the same thing last week," said Andersen. "Hopefully the case will be resolved by the end of October and, while you can never make predictions in situations like these, our conscience is clear and we feel we have a moral point." Ferguson told newspaper Verdens Gang on Monday: "We have an agreement with Lyn Oslo, have followed John Mikel Obi for three years and still want him to come to Manchester United."

Rooney dismisses 'boring' claim
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has hit back at critics who have suggested that the Premiership has become less interesting. But the 19-year-old says clubs have a duty to gain the best result they can. "I don't think the league is getting boring," he told Sir Stan. "A lot of teams have got a lot better now. "They go to Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and set their stall to get a result so if it means playing 4-5-1, it's good for that team." United have remained unbeaten over their five Premiership games this season, despite tricky trips to Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton. And though they are seven points behind Chelsea, Rooney feels they are in a good position in the Premiership to mount a title challenge. "We have had a tough start but we have had a good start," added the England forward. "We are still unbeaten, despite playing some really tough away games. "We are only in September, we might have a better idea how things are going to go in March."

Man Utd accept Rooney punishment
Manchester United have decided not to appeal against striker Wayne Rooney's two-match Champions League ban by Uefa. Rooney, 19, was dismissed against Villarreal last week for sarcastically clapping in referee Kim Milton Nielsen's face after being booked. And he was given an extra game after Nielsen also reported that Rooney swore at him as he left the field. The suspension means Rooney misses United's games with Benfica on 27 September and Lille on 18 October. A statement by Uefa's control and disciplinary body said: "It is beyond any doubt that Wayne Rooney committed several disciplinary offences, notably by taking two yellow cards resulting in a red card, as well as by displaying unsporting conduct. "As a result, it is appropriate to impose a two-match ban for the reported misconduct." Rooney's temperament has repeatedly come into question and he was lucky to avoid being shown a red card in England's World Cup qualifying defeat to Northern Ireland seven days ago. He is already suspended for England's next World Cup qualifying game against Austria on 8 October after receiving a yellow card in the Northern Ireland game.

Ferguson hits back at the media
Sir Alex Ferguson launched a stinging attack on the media after Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Benfica. Ferguson was booed from the field after Saturday's defeat to Blackburn and faced fierce criticism in the press. But after Tuesday's win he said: "We did exactly the same thing when we lost against Blackburn as we did here - and no, I am not going to explain myself." And he told the gathered media: "You have your own ideas on the game. I don't want to blunt your imagination." Ferguson was accompanied by a security guard as he left the field on Saturday and the booing in his direction led to intense media scrutiny. United's supporters had chanted "4-4-2" during the defeat to Rovers, a call for a return to the system that brought so much success to the Old Trafford club over the last decade. And assistant manager Carlos Queiroz's decision to publicly criticise the United fans in a Portuguese newspaper - suggesting that in football "stupidity has no limits" - ensured more negative headlines. But after Ruud van Nistelrooy's 85th-minute goal sealed a 2-1 Champions League win over Benfica, Ferguson was applauded from the field. And the manager then defended his team, adding: "Form has not been that bad. "The loss against Blackburn was a travesty of a result because we missed some good chances but this was different. "There was a little bit of anxiety among the players after they scored, but once the game settled down again there was only going to be one winner and that was us. "We were always positive and with persistence you can gain success. We deserved it. "There's no point feeling sorry for yourself, you just have to get on with it and we did." United had failed to win their previous four games in all competitions, drawing three and losing one. And Ferguson's team are 10 points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premiership after playing just six games. Van Nistelrooy paid tribute to the supporters after the role they played in urging the team to victory. "We dominated the game but we were shocked by the equaliser and people may have thought 'here we go again' but we were able to come back," he said. "It was great to score again, especially so late on to win the match. "The atmosphere was brilliant too - the fans supported us from the first minute to the last." Benfica manager Ronald Koeman said that his team deserved a draw from the game - and had missed an opportunity against a team that he knew was under pressure. "We knew Manchester United were not in the best form at the moment and we came to attack and played very well," said Koeman. "We had a few opportunities but football is like this sometimes, the result isn't just about who plays well. "We deserved a draw but you don't always get the result you deserve or want. "In football a lot of games are decided at the end of a match and we didn't pay enough attention to the corner kick at the end of the game. "It's a pity because I thought a draw would have been a fairer result."

Keane prepares for Man Utd exit
Manchester United captain Roy Keane says he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. The 34-year-old does not think he will be offered a new contract when his current one expires in the summer and wants to move outside English football. "There comes a time when a player has to move on," Keane told MUTV. "I'd like to play on for another year or two and it would be good experience for me to play at another club or in another country." Keane, who signed for United from Nottingham Forest in 1993 for a British-record fee of £3.75m, admitted it would be "hard to stomach" playing for another club in the Premiership. He has made no secret in the past of his desire to play for Celtic before he retires. "When I say playing for another team, I can't see it being an English team - that would be hard to stomach," he said. "I would like to get into coaching and experiencing a different dressing room would help that. " The Republic of Ireland international said he could change his mind about moving if he was offered a new contract by United - but admitted this was not a likely scenario. "I would be surprised if United offered me a new contract, it's my gut feeling," he said. "If United did offer me a contract it would be around April and that would be too late. I would like to have something sorted out in January. "I will be 35 in the summer and there are good players coming through at United and the time would be right." Keane had been strongly linked with a coaching position at Old Trafford. Indeed United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had even tipped Keane to succeed him one day. But Keane said: "Sometimes it's better to make a clean break. People have mentioned coaching at United but it doesn't appeal to me." Keane has been described as the embodiment of his manager on the pitch. But the duo had a public row at Manchester United's pre-season training camp in Portugal in July.

Keane tips Smith as replacement
Roy Keane believes Alan Smith has the potential to take over his role at the hub of the Manchester United midfield. Keane, who expects to leave United at the end of the season, says the ex-Leeds striker, 24, has potential. The United skipper told MUTV: "I think Alan has had an eye on the position for a while, given the amount of games he played there when he was at Leeds. "I've looked at him at close quarters in training and I think he has got a good chance of playing in that role." Smith has been standing in for Keane, who is currently out with a broken bone in his foot, in recent games. And, with the 34-year-old Irishman announcing last week this is almost certain to be his last season at United, there is an opportunity for Smith to stake a claim for the midfield role in the long term. However, he will need to persuade United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he can be an adequate replacement for Keane, who has been the key figure in the team's success over the last decade. "He will be the first to admit he has got a lot to learn but, with me being out of the team, he has got a great opportunity to gain some good experience and he has done well over the last few games," added Keane. "Alan needs a good run in midfield so he can gain experience against good players. "I will happily help him out and give him advice because the role he has got to play is a very disciplined one."

Giggs upbeat about Man Utd future
Ryan Giggs believes he is still one of Manchester United's most important players and the midfielder says he is hungrier for success than ever. Giggs has started for United just three times this season but refutes suggestions his best is behind him. "I don't see it that I am not first choice," said the 31-year-old winger. "I still maintain that if I am playing well I will be in the Manchester United team. The hunger for me is still there, and there is an extra sense of that." Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and summer signing Park Ji-Sung are ahead of Giggs in the pecking order. But the Wales skipper is desperate to force his way back into the team and help United mount a realistic challenge against Premiership leaders Chelsea. "I was out for three games due to sickness earlier in the campaign, and now I have got my match fitness back and believe that if I am playing well I will be in the side. "With Chelsea getting off to a great start there is added pressure. "But Manchester United are always expected to win the league and do well in Europe. "There have been years we haven't won it, this has been the first time for a long while it has happened for two years - but the hunger is always there to win it or defend it. That will never change." Giggs also now agrees he is playing his best football for Wales - now as captain - following his stunning display to destroy Northern Ireland at the weekend. "I am lucky to have won so much, and the one thing missing in my career is playing in a major championships. I have maybe got two more shots at that," said Giggs, who plays in Wales' match against Azerbaijan on Wednesday. "And consistency-wise this is the best I have played for Wales, I still see the 2010 World Cup as a realistic target, hopefully fit and playing well. "I have always had that hunger, and towards the end of your career it gets stronger."

Neville back after injury lay-off
England and Manchester United full-back Gary Neville played for an hour on Thursday in his first match action since injuring his groin in August. Neville started for United's reserves in the 4-1 win over West Brom before being replaced on 62 minutes. The 30-year-old could now feature on the bench in United's Premiership game against Charlton on Saturday. He could then be back in the starting line-up for the Champions League encounter with Villarreal on Tuesday. United have suffered in Neville's absence, losing once in the Champions League and twice in the Premiership. Roy Keane, United's other high-profile absentee, is back in training but is not yet ready to make his comeback. However, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been boosted by the news that Ruud van Nistelrooy should be fit to face Charlton on Saturday. The Dutch striker pulled out of the Holland squad for the friendly with Italy with a rib injury but Ferguson is hopeful he will recover. "Ruud has got a chance," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News. "I am just hoping he will be OK."

Keane in shock exit from Man Utd
Roy Keane has left Manchester United by mutual consent. United confirmed on Friday that Keane, 34, had left with immediate effect, bringing to a sudden end his 12-and-a-half years at Old Trafford. Keane had said he was not expecting to get a new contract, with his current deal up at the end of the season. But he criticised the side last month in an interview to MUTV, which was never shown, and that appears to have brought forward his departure. Keane's outburst on MUTV, which is the club's own television station, came after a 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough in which he did not feature because he broke his foot in a 0-0 draw against Liverpool on 18 September. That game at Anfield now becomes his last game for United. Keane's representative Michael Kennedy met United chief executive David Gill at Old Trafford on Friday to thrash out details of Keane's severance, and the stunning news was then announced. Amazingly, Keane trained with United on Friday morning. And, during manager Sir Alex Ferguson's weekly media conference which came before the announcement, the Scot said his captain was training well and was "not far away" from a full recovery from injury. Following the announcement Keane, manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Gill all made statements of their own, with none of them mentioning any behind-the-scenes problems between the player and his club. Keane said: "It has been a great honour and privilege for me to play for Manchester United for over 12 years. "During my time at the club I have been fortunate to play alongside some of the best players in the game and in front of the best supporters in the world. "At all times I have endeavoured to do my best for the management and the team. "Whilst it is a sad day for me to leave such a great club and Manager I believe that the time has now come for me to move on. After so many years, I will miss everyone at the club. "I send my best wishes for the future to the management, players, staff and supporters of the club." Ferguson said: "Roy Keane has been a fantastic servant for Manchester United. "The best midfield player in the world of his generation, he is already one of the great figures in our club's illustrious history. "Roy has been central to the success of the club in the last 12-and-a-half years and everyone at Old Trafford wishes him well in the rest of his career and beyond." Gill said: "Roy has been a towering figure at the club for over a decade. His dedication, talent and leadership have been qualities that have marked him out as one of the true greats. "On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish him every success in his future career." United's full statement read: "Manchester United has today reached agreement with Roy Keane for Roy to leave the club with immediate effect. "The agreement allows Roy to sign a long term deal with another club to enable him to secure his playing career beyond what would have been the end of his contract at United in the summer. "The club has offered Roy a testimonial in recognition of his 12-and-a-half years at Old Trafford. "The club thanks Roy for his major contribution to the club during his years of service." KEANE'S OLD TRAFFORD CAREER 1993: Joins Man Utd for a then British record transfer fee of £3.75m 1994: Helps United win league and FA Cup Double 1996: Wins second league and FA Cup Double 1997: Helps United retain league title 1999: Captains United during treble-winning season but misses out on European Cup final win through suspension 2000: Leads Utd to another league title 2003: Leads United to their eighth Premier League title 2004: Lifts fourth FA Cup title in win over Millwall, setting a record with his sixth appearance in Final 2005: Leaves Utd by mutual consent The specific mention in that statement of Keane's availability appears to suggest he will sign for another club, rather than retire. That could alert Celtic, a club Keane has consistently been linked to but whose manager Gordon Strachan said earlier this season he would not discuss Keane while he was under contract elsewhere. However, Keane is also thought to be high on the Republic of Ireland's wish-list to fill their vacant manager's role, after they saw the success Mark Hughes had when he cut his coaching teeth with Wales. Keane won 66 caps for Ireland but retired from playing at international level last month. Keane and Ferguson were once famously close, with the Irishman seen as his boss' spokesman on the pitch. But the pair began to drift apart following a row at the club's pre-season training camp in Portugal last July. That disagreement was believed to be about the quality of the set-up in Portugal and the fact that players' wives were allowed to attend. It was also not the first time he has fallen out with a manager over a training camp - Keane famously stormed out of the 2002 World Cup because he was angered by then-manager Mick McCarthy's preparations. He vowed then to never play for his country again while McCarthy was in charge, and duly stayed in the cold until Brian Kerr took the helm for the Republic. Any lingering bad feeling between the player and Ferguson at Old Trafford after the Portugal row finally exploded when Keane went on MUTV and gave an interview which was ultimately never shown - but which almost certainly led to his stunning exit on Friday.

Wilkins stunned by Keane decision
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Ray Wilkins admitted he was "flabbergasted" by the news Roy Keane had left Old Trafford. Wilkins told Sir Stanley: "This will be a a total shock to everyone in football. "There was a lot of talk about him leaving the club in the summer, but for him to go before the January transfer window is a major surprise. "Roy was an extremely powerful figure at Manchester United and an exceptional player. I'm flabbergasted." Wilkins added that he would not be surpised to see Keane now join Celtic, the club at which the midfielder once stated he wanted to end his career. "Roy has publicly stated that he wouldn't want to play against United in the Premiership, so that might be the obvious choice for him," he said. "It would be interesting to see Roy working with Gordon Strachan. Two Celts together might be a bit fiery, but he survived 12-and-a-half years with Sir Alex so I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem. "One thing's for sure, this will be music to Chelsea's ears. It's another major boost towards their goal of retaining their Premiership title." Andy Mitten, founding editor of the United We Stand fanzine, feels Keane, 34, still had something to offer the club, even if not in a playing capacity "I feel he had something to contribute. He was such a big influence on the club and the fact he is driven by success would only have been a good thing for the club," Mitten told Sir Stanley "He's the best player I've ever seen in a Manchester United shirt, the driving force behind much of the club's success since he joined in 1993 and a legend in the eyes of most United fans."

Glazers play down European defeat
The Glazer family has played down the financial implications of Manchester United's failure to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League. The defeat to Benfica cost the American owners up to £15m in prize money. But a Glazer family spokesman said: "It was a disappointing result but has no bearing on the family's long-term ownership of Manchester United." Asked about the financial implications, he said there was enough "slack" in the investment to deal with the situation. Like many top clubs, United earn millions from the European competition. But this season's revenue shortfall could be critical to the Premiership outfit, which was purchased earlier this year by billionaire Malcolm Glazer in a takeover that relied heavily on borrowed money. United's 2-1 loss to Benfica on Wednesday evening means the side have no European action to look forward to after the new year for the first time in a decade. However, the Glazers appear to be unfazed by the result, saying that through the ownership of American Football team Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the family was used to coping with the "ups and downs" of sport. He added: "We're still second in the Premiership. The show must go on." Asked about Sir Alex Ferguson's position as manager, the spokesman said he did not want to comment on individuals, and made it clear the club's focus was on their next match, at home to Everton on Sunday.

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