Manchester Utd

Solskjaer reveals retirement plan
Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is likely to retire at the end of next season. The 34-year-old intends to see out his current contract with United, which runs until June 2008. But when asked if he could see a future beyond next season, Solskjaer told Norwegian newspaper VG: "No. "I'll most likely stay at United. I've one year left on my contract and I'm aiming to do as well as possible to carry on." He added: "I'll have to see how I feel. I could suddenly say enough is enough, but I'll stay here next year in any case." Solskjaer, who is in his 11th season at Old Trafford, became a fans' hero when he scored a dramatic late winner to seal United's European Cup final win over Bayern Munich in 1999. The Norwegian spent the best part of three seasons on the sidelines as he battled knee problems. Despite fears that he would be forced to retire, Solskjaer returned to full fitness in July last year and has made 27 appearances for United this season. "I'm almost certain I'll be better next season. Then I'll have this season behind me after two or three years out," he said. "I'll be able to play at a higher level."

Injured Vidic to resume training
Injury-hit Manchester United could be boosted by the return of Nemanja Vidic before the end of the season. Vidic, 25, broke his collarbone in United's 4-1 win against Blackburn in March and was ruled out for five weeks. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Vidic is coming along very, very well, and he starts training on Monday. "He's been doing some work in the gym but on Monday he'll start some serious work and hopefully he might possibly be available for the latter games." Ferguson also hopes several others will return before the end of the campaign as United chase a second Treble. "Gary Neville is progressing quite well, there's a chance he'll be ready for Everton. "We'll make a decision on Ji-sung Park next week. "We've seen the specialist and hopefully we can get an opinion on what the next stage should be. "Louis Saha is continuing his progress with the physios, but I don't think he'll be fit for this week." United do have Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Patrice Evra fit after minor injuries.

Ferguson hails outstanding Smith
Alan Smith's comeback from serious injury has been a major factor in Manchester United's treble challenge, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Smith, 26, has been in impressive form for United since returning from a broken leg suffered 14 months ago. "He has been absolutely unbelievable," said Ferguson. "His form in the last three games has been outstanding. "He has brought a freshness and an infectious enthusiasm which is spreading throughout the team." Smith was a surprise inclusion in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg meeting with Roma on 10 April. But the former Leeds striker took his chance by scoring in the 7-1 thrashing of the Italian giants. Smith then followed up that display with good performances in the victories against Watford and Sheffield United as United kept up their hunt for the treble. They remain top of the Premiership, are through to the FA Cup final against Chelsea, and will play AC Milan in the Champions League semi-finals. "When you think of what he has been through, how he has handled it and the way he is approaching his football, he has been first class," said Ferguson. "I cannot speak more highly of him than that." Despite three games in a week so soon after his comeback, Ferguson expects Smith to be fit for the Premiership game against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Ferdinand adds to 'injury crisis'
Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United face an "injury crisis of major proportions" after Rio Ferdinand went off injured against Middlesbrough. The defender will be out for two weeks after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury during United's 1-1 home draw. Ferdinand will miss the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan on Tuesday but might return for the vital Premiership game with Chelsea on 9 May. "I'm only playing with 12 players now, the rest are injured," said Ferguson. "It's an injury crisis of major proportions. We've got to patch up a team for this massive game on Tuesday now." Ferdinand joined defender Nemanja Vidic (collarbone), captain Gary Neville (ankle), midfielder Park Ji-sung (knee) and forward Louis Saha (hamstring) on the sidelines. Kieran Richardson is also an injury doubt after going off at half-time against Middlesbrough after scoring United's goal. United, whose Premiership lead could be cut to one point if Chelsea win at Newcastle on Sunday, face a crucial few weeks as they chase three trophies. Ferguson blamed Ferdinand's injury for Boro's equalising goal, saying the England defender was physicially unable to stop Mark Viduka heading home on the stroke of half-time. "The injuries killed us in the first half. I was hoping to get to half-time to get Rio off... Rio was limping, he just couldn't get to it," he said. "Maybe if I'd taken him off it would have been OK." Ferguson was worried that his side did not play to their usual standards in the second half at Old Trafford. "We must not feel sorry for ourselves. It looked like we were a little bit in the second half but this is not a time for that," he said. "The history of our club is that we make it hard for ourselves anyway and we are back to square one. "The game at Chelsea was always going to be critical and the door is open to them now. "We always knew if we made mistakes they have got the ability to come back. It is a big task now."

Ronaldo secures PFA awards double
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association. The 22-year-old winger is the first player to win both awards in the same season since Andy Gray in 1977. The Portuguese has recovered from the controversy of last year's World Cup to help United battle for three trophies. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was second and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes third in the senior award. Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs, last year's winner Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas also made ths shortlist. Ronaldo, who has scored 16 Premiership goals so far this season to fire United to the top of the table, said it was a big honour to be singled out by his peers. He said: "It is a special night. It is amazing and a big honour for me to win trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud. "My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players know the qualities of players. "I want to keep working hard and getting better because these trophies have now given me more motivation. "This great team has helped me because when the team wins it is easier for us all to play with more confidence." Fabregas was second and Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, 20, third in the voting for the young player award. Ronaldo's team-mate Wayne Rooney (21) was also shortlisted, as were Reading striker Kevin Doyle, 23, and 18-year-old defender Micah Richards of Manchester City. Eight Manchester United players made it into the team of the year while manager Sir Alex Ferguson was honoured with the PFA Special Merit Award. Ferguson paid tribute to Ronaldo, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in a £12.2m deal in August 2003. "At this moment in time, I think he is the best player in the world and his season has been incredible," he said. PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2007: Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier Drogba (Chelsea) and Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

Charlton dismisses Mourinho claim
Sir Bobby Charlton believes a claim by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that referees do not give penalties against Manchester United is "nonsense". Mourinho says the title race is being undermined after United avoided two penalties last week, while Chelsea had an appeal rejected at Newcastle. "Considering he's very intelligent, to come out with that is silly," United legend Charlton told SSB. "It's a nonsense. We've had many games when we've not had the decisions." Middlesbrough had their penalty appeals turned down when John O'Shea appeared to foul Lee Dong-Gook during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. In United's previous game, Sheffield United were denied a spot-kick when Gabriel Heinze brought down Luton Shelton. Chelsea were subsequently denied a penalty when Stephen Carr appeared to handle Salomon Kalou's cross during their goalless draw with Newcastle on Sunday. United lead Chelsea in the title race by three points and after the match against Newcastle Mourinho launched into his tirade. "It is not possible to have a penalty against Manchester United," he said. "If you tell me it was not a penalty for Sheffield United or a penalty for Middlesbrough or for us against Newcastle. I must go to my optician." Charlton, now a Manchester United director, says Mourinho's colourful remarks were unnecessary. "I thought it was a little bit senseless," added Charlton, who captained United to a European Cup triumph in 1968. "It makes good copy for the media and he's obviously a marvellous coach but sometimes, really, I think some of the statements are quite unnecessary." Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn into Mourinho's debate but did say he felt the referee was right to deny Middlesbrough a penalty. "I have looked at Saturday's incident and O'Shea definitely got the ball, there is no doubt about it," he stated.

Mourinho attack inflames Ferguson
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Jose Mourinho of going "below the belt" with his latest comments about Cristiano Ronaldo. Last week the Chelsea manager called Ronaldo a "liar" after the winger disputed his claim that penalties are never awarded against United. And at the weekend he continued the attack, saying: "Maybe it's about a difficult childhood, no education". Ferguson responded: "It is really below the belt to bring class into it." He added: "I don't know why he has done this. Maybe he is trying to unsettle the boy. "Just because you come from a poor, working-class background does not mean to say you are not educated. "What Ronaldo has are principles - that is why he has not responded to it. Other people are educated but have no principles." Mourinho and Ronaldo both grew up in Portugal, but had very different upbringings. While the Chelsea boss was raised in relative middle-class comfort in the city of Setubal, Ronaldo spent his childhood in the working-class district of Funchal in the Madeira Islands. Manchester United could play Chelsea three times before the end of the season. They meet in the Premiership at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, will contest the FA Cup final at Wembley on 19 May and could clash in the Champions League final in Athens on 23 May.

Man Utd alert over hoax package
Manchester United's training ground was sealed off after a suspicious package was sent through the post. The package, addressed to manager Sir Alex Ferguson, sparked a police operation at the Carrington complex, but was later found to be a hoax. Sir Alex and his team had left for Italy, for their Champions League semi-final second leg against AC Milan. The ground was sealed off after a member of staff opened the parcel and found an "unidentified substance". Tests later established the package not to be harmful. A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "Police and fire service officers attended the address as part of a pre-planned operation and the immediate scene was sealed off. "Tests have been carried out on the substance and it has now been established that it was not harmful. "Officers are continuing to investigate the origins of the package."

Ronaldo takes award from writers
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Chelsea's Didier Drogba to the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award. The 22-year-old Portugal international has already been named player of the year by his fellow professionals. "Cristiano was a runaway winner, and deservedly so," said Paul Hetherington, chairman of the FWA. Ronaldo's team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were third and fourth respectively in the vote. Ronaldo has been in spectacular form for United, who remain on course for a Premiership and FA Cup double. He faced a backlash at the start of the season after his involvement in Wayne Rooney's sending-off against Portugal at the World Cup. Hetherington added: "After the events of last summer at the World Cup, the vote of the Football Writers' Association shows that what we are all interested in is honouring the best player in the country. "There has been no agendas carried over from last summer."

Title triumph spurs on Ferguson
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants to stay at Manchester United for several more years after leading the club to a ninth Premiership title on Sunday. United were crowned champions after Chelsea drew at Arsenal and Ferguson, 65, said: "Why should I give up? "I feel invigorated by the young players at the club and players like Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes turning out every week for me. "I don't know how long I will last now but I am enjoying it." Ferguson, who has been at the Old Trafford helm for over 20 years, had a change of heart in 2002 after announcing his retirement and he stated: "It is easy to retire. It was a quick decision. I did it years ago and regretted it within days." Asked how the latest title triumph rates with the previous eight, Ferguson added: "All of them were good. "Maybe the fact that for two years Chelsea dominated the Premier League and we had a big job to do to catch them makes this one special. "The key was a good start to the season and we did that very well. It gave us momentum and from that moment on we did not lose it." Ferguson had initially vowed to avoid title rivals Chelsea's crunch game against the Gunners but his curiosity eventually got the better of him and he watched the last 15 minutes of the 1-1 draw. He revealed: "I went to see my grandson play; they won their league and we won ours! "I was twiddling my thumbs. I watched the last 15 minutes at the Emirates and was in agony. My heart was in my mouth. "It was a great effort by Chelsea, we have got to give them great credit." Meanwhile, former United midfielder David Beckham, who Ferguson sold to Real Madrid in 2003, heaped praise on his old manager. The ex-England captain said: "I will never be surprised what Sir Alex Ferguson can do because I know what he is like as a person and as a manager. Whoever writes him off he always proves them wrong - and he has done it again. "He knows how good a manager Chelsea's Jose Mourinho is, he knows how good Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Liverpool's Rafa Benitez are and he respects them but as a manager you are not going to get many bigger or more successful managers than him. "As a United fan I am really happy for the manager and for the players." Midfielder Beckham, 32, who is set to leave Real for Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy at the end of the season, believes Ferguson will already be focusing on United's FA Cup final showdown against Chelsea on 19 May. "The good thing about the manager at United is that is what he does - he makes you move on. As soon as you have won a medal he does not stop there, he makes you want more," commented Beckham. "That is what he put into me and that is what he puts into the rest of the young players.

Injury 'threatened Park's career'
Ji-Sung Park might have been forced to end his career had he not had knee surgery, according to the Manchester United midfielder's father. Park, 26, had an operation on 28 April at the renowned clinic in Colorado run by Dr Richard Steadman. "According to Steadman, Park would not have undergone the operation for such an injury in a normal situation," said Park Sung-Jong. "But it might have ruined Park's career if the injury was not attended to." He added: "The operation was timely, and it prevented aggravation. He will have to be on crutches until August." Park suffered the injury against Blackburn on 31 March. He will be unable to play in United's summer tour of Asia.

Bayern confirm sale of Hargreaves
Bayern Munich have agreed to sell Owen Hargreaves to Manchester United. Club president Franz Beckenbauer told German TV: "Owen is leaving. That was the player's wish. It's a good match and it's also a good deal financially." Beckenbauer said the transfer fee was "around" £17m - which would be a record for a Bundesliga player. Hargreaves, 26, has been at Bayern for 10 years but after starring for England at the World Cup last year, he admitted he wanted to play in the Premiership. United quickly moved to open negotiations with Bayern and made offers in the summer transfer window and in January but the German club refused to sell - until now. Hargreaves, who played only nine league games for Bayern this season because of injury, is expected to sign a four-year deal with the newly-crowned Premiership champions. His career in Germany ended in disappointment when Bayern finished fourth in the Bundesliga, thereby missing out on Champions League qualification. His transfer is therefore likely to be the first stage of an overhaul at the club, with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge promising to carry out "brutal and ruthless" changes to the team. Sunday's newspaper reports suggested Bayern could use the funds from Hargreaves' sale to buy Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

Glazers deny Man Utd sale story
Malcolm Glazer has no intention of selling Manchester United, according to a spokesman for his family. "There is not a grain of truth to this story - the family is committed to the long-term ownership of the club." The Daily Mirror reported that the American billionaire was ready to sell United after profits fell short of his expectations. Mr Glazer spent £790m buying the club in 2005, and has put his son Joel in charge of the investment. Malcolm Glazer is currently recovering from his second stroke, but his spokesman says that his health has no bearing on the ownership of Manchester United. The debt taken on to finance the purchase of Manchester United has already been refinanced once to reduce the interest payments and it is rumoured that the club is planning a second refinancing. Manchester United reported profits for the 12 months to the end of June 2006 of £49.7m. The interest payments on the debt taken out to buy the club are currently £62m a year.

Hargreaves close to Man Utd move
Owen Hargreaves is expected to complete his transfer to Manchester United next week, SSB understands. United have agreed a fee in the region of £17m with Bayern Munich for the England midfielder. Hargreaves passed a medical at United last week and all that remains is the formality of signing a contract, which will be for either three or four years. The 26-year-old will fly to Canada on Tuesday to visit his family and should return to Manchester early next week. United failed with bids to sign Hargreaves last summer and in January. The midfielder enjoyed an illustrious 10 seasons at Bayern, winning six league titles and the 2001 Champions League. But his final season was plagued by injury and ended in disappointment, as Bayern finished fourth in the Bundesliga, missing out on Champions League qualification. Hargreaves missed four months at the start of the campaign because of a broken leg and went on to play in only nine league games. He will also miss England's upcoming matches against Brazil and Estonia because of a knee problem.

Man Utd swoop for Anderson & Nani
Manchester United have agreed "in principle" deals to sign Anderson from FC Porto and Nani from Sporting Lisbon. The Premiership champions are set to recruit Brazilian midfielder Anderson, 19, and Portuguese winger Nani, 20, in a deal that could cost about £30m. "Terms are agreed with both players and an announcement will take place once a medical and other procedures are done," said a statement on United's website. Owen Hargreaves will join United on 1 July from Bayern Munich for £17m. Anderson has described the proposed move to Old Trafford as " a dream come true". He said: "I cannot wait to play in the same team as Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a great player, as well as Wayne Rooney and many more. "I could not imagine I would ever get to work with a manager like Sir Alex Ferguson but it has happened. What can I say? It is a dream the size of the world." Anderson has been named in Brazil coach Dunga's squad for the Copa America in Venezuela next month but not Friday's friendly with England at Wembley. The teenager, whose full name is Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira, had his last season at Porto disrupted by a broken leg, but he started nine matches for Porto this season, scoring twice, and came on as a substitute six times. He joined Porto from Gremio in December 2005 and played against United in a pre-season friendly last August at the Amsterdam Tournament. Nani had also been linked with a move to Tottenham, but recently said he would only leave Portugal to play for a club like United. Nani, whose full name is Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha, was born in the Cape Verde islands and has been compared to his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, with pace and trickery similar to that of the Footballer of the Year. He has played five times for Portugal, scoring once in the process. This season he featured 29 times for Sporting Lisbon, scoring five goals and he will be viewed as the long-term successor to Ryan Giggs.

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