---------------------------------
[29] The Guardian's take on things
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From the Guardian
'Manchester United have begun talks with PSV Eindhoven to sign their defender Kevin
Hofland as an immediate replacement for Jaap Stam. Sir Alex Ferguson has instructed
United's chief executive Peter Kenyon to find out whether PSV, Stam's former club, are
willing to sell the 22-year-old Hofland now rather than, as had been expected, at the
end of the season.
Early negotiations have gone positively, according to sources in the Netherlands last
night, even if PSV's valuation of £15m differs slightly from United's. The Premiership
champions are likely to make a firm approach.
Hofland has three caps and partnered Stam in central defence when Holland beat England
2-0 at White Hart Lane earlier this month.
It is believed United already had a deal in place to sign Hofland at the end of the
season after asking about the defender when they agreed the £19.5m deal for Ruud van
Nistelrooy in May.
United have meanwhile targeted Laurent Blanc as a stop-gap replacement for Stam. It
emerged yesterday that the deal for the former French international, who will be 36 in
November, was being put together before Lazio mounted their successful £16.35m move
for Stam.
Kenyon said: "I can confirm we are interested in signing Blanc. Hopefully he will be
with us Tuesday or Wednesday. We know we have to be quick because we would obviously
like to have it completed before the Champions League deadline [on Friday]."
Any deal is expected to cost United no more than £1m and could even be a free
transfer.
However, Ivan Campo's agent yesterday claimed that the Real Madrid defender was also
on United's shortlist.
Meanwhile a bemused Stam was unveiled by Lazio yesterday after his whirlwind transfer
from United and made it clear he was not happy with the sequence of events that had
unexpectedly dropped him in Rome.
Faced with a barrage of questions about the background to his dramatic departure from
Old Trafford, Stam used phrases such as "not very nice" and "not happy" to describe
the fortnight preceding his move to Italy on Sunday.
The thrust of the questioning was: did Ferguson sell him because of his recently
published book Head to Head which made mildly adverse comments about his United
team-mates and suggested an unethical approach by Ferguson when he signed him from PSV
Eindhoven in 1998?
"You would have to ask the club that. At this stage I don't know what to believe. The
last two weeks have not been very nice for me. I wasn't happy. I played well at
Manchester United for three years and then, within two weeks, you're not wanted any
more . . .
"Sir Alex called me aside and he told me that he wanted another defender and that he
could see no solution for me. He also told me that there was an offer from Lazio and
that the club had accepted it. I'm not a player to sit on the bench, I want to play
and I want to play at the highest level and Lazio obviously believe in me; that's why
they paid out all that money".
At one stage the exasperated Lazio director Massimo Cragnotti appealed for no more
questions "about Mr Stam's private life", but to little avail.
"I have no regrets about writing the book," Stam insisted. "Go and read the book
yourselves. It is not an autobiography but rather a book about football. It's not a
book accusing anybody of anything. The paper which published the extracts made a mess
of it, put bad headlines on it and then, as you know, people only read the headlines."
When the point was made that it seemed strange he had just been sold after signing a
new five-year contract the 29-year-old responded: "I don't know. Ask the club."
---------------------------------
[28] Er, not quite lads
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
from calciomercato
'The Irish coach targets Real Madrid's Ivan Campo...'
And there we were thinking Govan is in Scotland...
---------------------------------
[27] Becks injury latest
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
The Football Association's head of communications, Paul Newman::
"Gary Lewin has described it as a 'mild groin strain'. There is less damage than first
feared, but it is very difficult to tell the extent of the injury in the first 48
hours. David will continue to have treatment and will be assessed in the morning
before a decision is taken as to whether he will have a scan."
---------------------------------
[26] Reds get everywhere
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From Lee
'did you see the United graffiti at Villa on Sunday? On top of their new Trinity Road
stand, just above the players car park, some red had sprayed "MUFC" on one the
cantilever girders.'
---------------------------------
[25] Utd fan Athers retires from cricket
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
"The Oval Test match was my last for England and I now intend to fulfil my commitments
with Lancashire before retiring from cricket at the end of the current season. I have
enjoyed 15 wonderful years in cricket and would like to thank all the players and
staff I have been involved with at Lancashire and England since I first came into the
professional game."
---------------------------------
[24] Ole on how things are
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
"What is happening right now is that everything is about planning for the Champions
League. The manager is working on a system that can make us European champions once
again and everyone accepts it because of that."
---------------------------------
[23] Dutch boss happy with Stam
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Van Gaal said: "A player like Jaap Stam could play for any team in the world — he is
that good. He certainly played very well for Manchester United."
---------------------------------
[22] We've already bid for Ayala
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Valencia president Jaime Orti said:
"We received an offer at the beginning of the summer for Ayala but we told United we
were not interested. If they came back for him we would consider it but the answer is
likely to be the same."
---------------------------------
[21] Don't believe the hype
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Silvestre may go warns the Mirror (below) - after backing Silvestre during his really
torrid times can't see it, it was one bad game at Villa after so many improved
performances. But then after Stam some in the press would portray us as a club in
crisis and half the squad to be now sold. Not true.
'MICKAEL SILVESTRE is the next Manchester United player facing the chop after an
amazing dressing room rant by boss Sir Alex Ferguson. And the slamming of Silvestre
opens the door for Ferguson to make a new move for his fellow Frenchman Bixente
Lizarazu before the Champions League deadline on Friday.
Silvestre was taken off at half-time at Aston Villa and took the blame for United's
poor defensive display as they trailed at the time. He let Darius Vassell get away
from him to score the first goal, although the move began because Gary Neville was
caught out of position.
Ferguson ripped into Silvestre at the break and gave him the famous 'hair dryer'
treatment - a prolonged and heated in-your-face rollicking.
Silvestre was replaced by Phil Neville, and is now fearing for his first-choice
status.'
---------------------------------
[20] Top two United targets?
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Fabien Ayala & Kevin Hofland?
---------------------------------
[19] Stam in detail
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
And what a surprise the Mirror ignores the fact that Stam had a pop at them during the
press conference
"When I left PSV Eindhoven, my ultimate wish was to play for Manchester United. When
you can play for a club you have always followed, it's the best feeling. United are
the biggest club in England and I couldn't contemplate playing for another Premiership
club. I knew there were other teams interested in me but if I was going to go it had
to be abroad. I'm still not quite sure what to make of the past few days. It's hard to
take in - but it was their choice. I've spoken to a few of the United men, including
David Beckham, but I'm not going to reveal what was said, because it's private.
The last two weeks have been terrible for me. I felt completely without power and
people have got the wrong image of me. I have to pick myself up now and look to the
future, but it's going to be hard because I never wanted to leave United. I first
heard about the deal when I approached Sir Alex Ferguson before training on Saturday
morning. I went into his office and told him I wanted to talk about stories in the
papers which had reported that none of the other United players were speaking to me
after the serialisation of my autobiography. I wanted to know why there were stories
that my team-mates were unhappy with me when I knew this wasn't true.
Ferguson said we could talk after training. It was then that he told me that I no
longer fitted into his tactical system and that it was unreasonable to expect someone
of my age and reputation to sit on the bench. He said we both had to get on with our
own lives and then dropped the bombshell that he had bought somebody else - although
he did not tell me who.
Although I'm very excited about joining a club with the pedigree of Lazio, I am sad
and disappointed not to have had the opportunity to say goodbye at United in the
proper way. I would have preferred things to have happened differently. As far as I
was concerned, there were never any problems between me and any of the other players
or backroom staff, and it hurts that I have left in this manner. I asked Ferguson what
his reasons were for selling me and he told me it was football, and I suppose I have
to believe him."
---------------------------------
[18] It was about the book?
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Lazio general manager Massimo Cragnotti:
"We only learned that he was for sale after all the problems between him and the
manager. That's what happened. I was informed about the trouble at United by Pasquale
Bruno, who is a friend of Stam and who also knows Ferguson. He told me what was going
on in the dressing-room at United between the player and the manager, and about the
possibility of buying Stam. We were told the player had been relegated to the bench
and that it was a good idea for us to make an offer for him. There was immediate
contact following this situation and from then on it was full steam ahead. It was all
done very quickly."
---------------------------------
[17] And this is front page news
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Posh has had her lip pierced. Front pages of nearly all the tabloids. Sad.
---------------------------------
[16] Manchester Evening News back our story
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
That we've been running for some time that the Becks deal is as good as done and will
be announced this Autumn.
Ted Beckham - reader of each copy of Red News: "As far as I'm concerned, I don't think
there will be any problems with David's contract. I expect the negotiations to go
smoothly, David has said he wants to stay at United, he loves the club and Manchester.
I'd be very happy if he stays, everyone knows my feelings towards the club, I've
supported them all my life and I, like David, want to continue to do that."
---------------------------------
[15] Red News ad!
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Remember, we're always on the look out for your
thoughts/images/pictures/articles/letters for Red News the fanzine as well as any
ideas and thoughts on the site.
Keep them coming to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
FERGIE SPECIAL
Red News has produced a limited edition FERGIE SPECIAL to commemortae his last season
in charge, with many unqiue memories and insights into his reign at United.
This really is a must have but we anticipate selling out completely in the not too
distant future.
A few loyal Red News readers (we kiss the ground that you walk on) have asked us how
they can still get one.
1) Through mail order. Each copy costs just £2.50 including postage and packing and
can be ordered via Red News, P.O.Box 176, Manchester, M16 8LG
2) Sportspages branches in Manchester and London have stock
3) Buying a copy from Red News sellers at the Everton and Ipswich games.
4) Then we may have no more copies left, unless the Megastore decide to stock it!
5) Jip Jaap Stam is no longer a Red man, get past him if you're Italian, His book
isn't the reason we've sold him, Believe that, and I'm a Dutchman!
---------------------------------
[14] Bizarre request
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
But it is for a Red News spoof. If anyone has a picture of Scouser Henchoz could they
send it to us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] as a jpeg. Thanks!
---------------------------------
[13] Proof Scousers try to overhype their success
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
We always thought Liverpool fans liked to re-invent the past so as to avoidcertain
truths and talk a lot of bullshit about successes that aren't half as good as they
claim to be (plastic trebles for starters), here is the perfect example - celebrating
a league trophy they never even won.
Check the e.bay link and e.bay text below, thanks to Steve for the spot
'http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1181303060
Item # 1181303060
Where do I start ? This white shirt is an unusual little item. Size on the label is
15.5" and made in England. On the left breast pocket there are the words LIVERPOOL
FOOTBALL CLUB DOUBLE CHAMPIONS 1988-89 embroidered along with the FA Cup and the
League Champions trophy. On the right sleeve there is a Liver bird embroidered along
with the word "ECHO". This clearly refers to the local newspaper called the LIVERPOOL
ECHO. I presume that this shirt was available through the newspaper at that time to
commemorate the double success. BUT ! BUT ! Liverpool did NOT win the double that year
as of course the Arse secured the league championship with "that" goal from Thomas in
the last minute. Were these shirts prduced early in readiness for a great success
which (sadly) never came after Hillsbrough ? I am sure that someone out there reading
this will know what is the full story. For now, though, you have a chance to own a
very unusual shirt. Opening price is the reserve price. Overseas!
bids are very welcome. Bidders with a negative feedback rating need NOT bid. Payment
MUST be received within seven days for UK buyers and fourteen days for overseas buyers
otherwise negative feedback WILL be left. Payment can be made in any form of GBP with
personal cheques taking seven days to
clear. Payment may also be made by cash in US $ with an exchange rate of $ 1.60 being
used. Payment is also acceptable in cash in most other currencies - please email us
for the exchange rates being used. Please check out our other auctions. Thank you
(link:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1181303060)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1181303060
---------------------------------
[12] Fergie's son - his part in Stam downfall
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
>From the Independent
'As Jaap Stam was unveiled in Rome yesterday, and Manchester United looked for a
replacement, it was revealed that Jason Ferguson, the son of the United manager Sir
Alex, played a key role in the Dutchman's controversial £16.5m move from Old Trafford
to Lazio.
Jason, who is a football agent, and the Manchester company that he works for, Elite,
were thanked by the Italian club for helping the move go through. The company stands
to make a large commission from the sale.
Jason was the agent who negotiated his father's new consultancy contract at United and
is involved in a TV documentary about his father's last year as United manager. The
Elite group, formed last April, also includes the Monaco-based Mike Morris (who was
personally thanked at yesterday's unveiling of Stam in Rome), the licensed agent
Francis Martin, and Dave Gardner, friend of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
Other agents have been concerned about Elite's growing ties with United. The company
organised Giggs' testimonial and were behind the move to United of the Wigan
goalkeeper, Roy Carroll. Elite is also working on the attempts to bring in Laurent
Blanc from Internazionale to replace Stam. Before Elite was formed, some members also
had a hand in Fabien Barthez's arrival at Old Trafford.'
---------------------------------
[11] Fergie book planned
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Michael Crick, Utd fan and journalist is penning an unofficial biography of Fergie
ready for the end of his United management.
---------------------------------
[10] Becks injury latest
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Won't train Tuesday but Sven hopeful that he will be fit for Germany game. (we're
worried about Everton thank you very much).
Football Association head of communications Paul Newman:
"David has been receiving intensive treatment at his home today from the England
physio Gary Lewin. Gary has described it as a 'mild groin strain'. There is less
damage than first feared, but it is very difficult to tell the extent of the injury in
the first 48 hours. David will continue to have treatment and will be assessed in the
morning before a decision is taken as to whether he will have a scan. He will be
reporting as normal with the other players to the team hotel tomorrow."
---------------------------------
[9] More links with Campo
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Although our European man in the know would be much happier if it turned out to be
Pellegrino.
Campo's agent, Miguel Angel Cermeno:
"I know Manchester United are poised to sign Ivan Campo. I have very good contacts in
English football but it's all up to Real Madrid. I know Ivan has a very good
impression of England and United were impressed by his performances in the Champions'
League, when Real played against them. Also, he cannot be happy at the moment but he
wants to succeed at Real. I know he will do it despite being left out of the last
three official games - and he's a little bit worried about it. Ten days ago
Internazionale made an official approach and
offered £5.5 million for Ivan. But Real said that he was not for sale. I don't know
what the answer will be now if the club receives another offer."
---------------------------------
[8] More transfer links
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Blanc wants £60,000 a week or more to join. You what?!
The Dutch defender who impressed in the recent England game, Kevin Hofland - but
Fergie has confirmed he is working on a list, pretty much like during the summer with
Veron of 2 or 3 names. Whoever it is a press conference Thursday or Friday beckons -
we will get someone.
---------------------------------
[7] Barthez was not dropped
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Talk before the game at Villa was that Barthez had been dropped. Fergie may have had a
dig but that was it to focus his still favourite Barthez. And he wasn't lying about
Barthez's hamstring injury even though some hacks want to try and portrait all that
the great man is saying as dodgy. You want proof...
Barthez has pulled out of the France game in Chile because of the injury. Rumours
suggesting that he was dropped by Fergie after the Blackburn were wrong and hopefully
the rest from such a long trip will also do him well. Bloody long way to go for that
sort of match anyway.
---------------------------------
[6] Inter deny Sun story that Blanc is joining us
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Inter Milan have denied the quotes from the Sun. "We have never
spoken to this guy" said an Inter official.
---------------------------------
[5] city massive success
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
2 wins on the trot. Order the bus for the parade!
Kevin Keegan: "They are going to get even better. Goater and Wanchope will just get
better. I'm still learning the songs but they say if you Goater feed him he will
score. They are both quality players and I have no doubt they will both score goals in
this division. Paulo had made a great goal for Shaun, and Shaun got the man of the
match award, the match ball and he would have even taken the stadium with him if they
would have let him."
---------------------------------
[4] European opponents scores
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Coruna won 4-0 whilst Lille drew 1-1 with Lens - where, as we revealed here first, we
will apparently be playing the game.
---------------------------------
[3] We target Campo
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Campo's agent Miguel Angel Cermeno:
"I know that Manchester United have an unofficial list with Ivan Campo and Laurent
Blanc's names. Inter have made a formal offer to buy Ivan Campo but Real Madrid
rejected it. Hector Cuper wanted Ivan Campo because he managed him at Mallorca. I do
not know if Manchester United have contacted Real Madrid because Jorge Valdano (Real
Madrid's manager) is away on holiday."
---------------------------------
[2] Blanc deal on/off/on/off?
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Latest is Blanc deal is off. We shall see, but if he does turn us down a fifth time
that surely must be it! Hopefully the target that Fergie mentioned was someone else if
so or we have two in mind as rumours suggest (and all number of players have been
suggested - Nesta, Mexes, Pellegrino, Campo, etc, etc) that a big signing will be made
and it isn't Blanc (although we wanted him as well).
>From Italian press
'Manchester United are not to sign Inter Milan French libero Laurent
Blanc. The Italian club have informed that the Frenchman is not leave
Milan. Consequently Fergusson's side have to search for a new central defender after
Stam joined Lazio. The Irish coach targets Real Madrid's Ivan Campo but after
Helguera's injury (2 months out) the Spanish club have only two central defenders,
Hierro and Karanka, and probably they may want to keep Campo that earlier was
expected to leave Madrid.'
---------------------------------
[1] Now they DO have problems
---------------------------------
Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2001 by bar-knee:
Bolton 2 Scousers 1 - Fowler sulking when subbed again and a blinding mistake by
Sander Westerveld.
Houllier: "It cost my team at least two points, but these things happen. Some days
Sander has saved us, there's no point in condemning him because it would only add to
his sadness. I was not disappointed with the display of football but I feel very sad
for the players because they were unfairly let down by that blunder. Robbie could have
done better, he was not up to the standard we know of him."
---------------------------------
[35] Voice your opinion on the Stam deal
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 27, 2001 by bar-knee:
Reds are saying what they think on the Red News forum on the site. Just click on FORUM
above and let us know what you think.
---------------------------------
[34] More from Fergie
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 27, 2001 by bar-knee:
"We are looking to play in a slightly different way because of the other players we
have at United now. I told Jaap Stam this."
---------------------------------
[33] More from Stam
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 27, 2001 by bar-knee:
Yip Yaap song is no more.
"I can think of no good sporting reason why I should be sold...I wanted to sit down
with Alex and have a real chat about some of the things that had appeared in the book
and caused so much trouble. I wanted to clear the air, but the talks took a different
turn. Ferguson told me he wanted a different player for my position and asked me if I
would be happy to sit on the bench all season. I was shocked and could not believe
what he was saying. I said 'no way' and he then told me of Lazio's interest and that
the club had accepted the offer. I signed a new contract with United that kept me at
the club until 2005. I wanted to end my career in Manchester."
---------------------------------
[32] Real wanted Stam
---------------------------------
Posted Monday, August 27, 2001 by bar-knee:
For those Reds pointing to a decline in form, it's interesting to note that two of our
European rivals wanted to sign him. Again we repeat - forget all talk of 'Utd fans
question Fergie'. We don't, we back him 100%, he has shown time and time again to be
right. Fergie is the boss, this has shown that to a team who too often go to the press
first and the manager second. But that doesn't hide the fact that we saw a healthy
United future - long-term too - for Stam and are saddened that he has left.
Lazio General Manager Massimo Cragnotti said: "Real Madrid tried to stop the signing
last night but he had already agreed to join us and said no. We are very happy he is
here and this will finish our signings for the year. After losing Veron and Salas, we
needed players to take us back to the top level. We chose the best and needed someone
in defence like Stam. Now he will join the other new players, Mendieta and Fiore."
