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------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- [16] Rooney on Stamford Bridge --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: I was devastated, but I was playing for Manchester United and wed just lost the league. I always stayed positive and believed Id play in the World Cup. Its healed. The thought never entered my mind that I wouldnt be here. --------------------------------- [15] More Rooney on Fergie --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: "I've spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson a few times. He just wishes me luck; he's been very supportive from day one. He's always wanted me to play in the World Cup and he's really happy for me. Hopefully it will make me a better player for Manchester United because of the experience of playing in a tournament like this. I'd like to have a long career like Zidane, but you never know what is going to happen in football. Hopefully I can play for as long as I can. I thought Zidane was brilliant against Spain. He and Ronaldo have had some criticism at the World Cup, which is embarrassing because they are both world-class players. They are unbelievable. I hope I can do what Ronaldo has done for Brazil. He's been one of the best players ever over the last 10 years and it's great to see him still scoring goals. Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player. We need to do a good job on him. But Ashley Cole will do a good job on him, he has done it before. There is more to come from this side, definitely. We haven't always played the best football, but that doesn't bother me if we keep winning" Open a range of betting accounts and compare odds and get free starting bets when you sign up http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-795737-10360205 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-795737-5966119 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-795737-10295995 Have a Free £25 bet on totesport Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-795737-10351781 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news --------------------------------- [14] More Rooney on injury and Alan Smith --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: "As soon as it happened I knew I had done something bad,. The doctor told me I'd broken it, but when we got the X-ray nothing showed up. I had to go for a scan - it was only a small break and the doctor told me, if I worked hard, it would heal. It has done; I stayed positive and always believed I'd play in the World Cup. I don't let things get me down. Alan Smith [United's other injured England striker] was in every day [at their Carrington base] doing the same thing. We were working together and that probably helped me because it would have been a lot harder on my own. Most of the lads in the England squad rang me to see how I was. It was nice they all cared and they all wished me good luck and a speedy recovery. When there was football on the telly, it was horrible to watch. I just wanted to be back playing. The fitness coach at United [Mike Clegg], who I was working with every day, was pushing me hard. He wanted to get the best out of me. I'm grateful for that. He never let me stop. Since I've moved from Everton to Manchester United [after Euro 2004], my fitness has gone a lot better. I don't think the England players were surprised I made it. They had seen me in training, I'd been speaking to them and they knew roughly when I'd be back. I wasn't scared about taking a challenge because the doctors told me that, if there was contact, there wouldn't be a problem. That took a lot of pressure off me." --------------------------------- [13] ROoney on playing on his own --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: "You have got to be more disciplined, and stay up there and keep the pitch stretched, keep the game high. That's hard work. I tried to do that to the best of my ability. I think I did a good job. I don't mind playing up front, on my own or in a two. I'll play wherever the manager tells me. As long as the midfield players keep making runs, it isn't a problem. It isn't a one-man band. I don't think the team think I will win the World Cup on my own. We have got a lot of match-winners in the team: look at Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard. It'd be nice to get that first World Cup goal, but as long as the team win, that's the main thing. Hopefully I'll score soon. I'm hungry." --------------------------------- [12] Macclesfield on pre-season friendly --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: Brian Horton "I spoke to Sir Alex and he said he`d try and put some names in there that the fans will want to see" --------------------------------- [11] tribalfootball reckon --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: that Real Zaragoza want Gerard Pique on a 'two-season loan deal and also are baulking at United's demands of penalty payments should he not be involved in the first team'. --------------------------------- [10] More Cantona in official mag --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: Rooney is still young and you cannot expect everything from a man who is 20 compared to a player who is 25 or 26. Nevertheless, he has the qualities to become one of the best and maybe even the best player in the world. But to be one of the best you have to take the game seriously, very seriously. You have to eat sensibly, drink sensibly I mean water! train hard and go to bed early. These things are very important. Many young players are in the spotlight. All the girls like you and you are invited everywhere. You need to be strong enough to deal with that. You have to make sacrifices because talent is only a small percentage. A bit of luck is important but after that its about mental strength. http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-795737-10379645 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-795737-10380073 Dorm rooms to dreams rooms from just £7 per night Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news --------------------------------- [9] Let's meet... --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: from the SUN 'CARLOS QUEIROZ has been charged with the task of convincing wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford. Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson told his No2 Queiroz to meet countryman Ronaldo in Germany for a heart-to-heart. Portugal winger Ron stunned United on Tuesday by saying he wanted to join Real Madrid. But Fergie desperately wants to keep Ronaldo, seeing him and Wayne Rooney as the two key players in the clubs future. Queiroz helped the winger a lot when he left Sporting Lisbon and struggled to settle in Manchester. Now Ferguson wants Queiroz to talk him round. Queiroz is understood to be at the World Cup in Germany and planning to visit Ronaldo. That will probably come after Ronaldos quarter-final match with England on Saturday. Ronaldo, 21, made his announcement as part of Juan Miguel Villa Mirs campaign to win the presidential election at Real Madrid. There is a sense of disbelief at Old Trafford that Ronaldo wants to go. Yesterday a poll showed 54 per cent of United fans would get rid of him.' --------------------------------- [8] Rooney on injury --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: As soon as it happened I knew it was bad and that I would be out for a while. When I got the news I had broken my foot, I was gutted. But the scan showed it was only a small break and the doctor said if I worked hard it would heal. So I kept positive, believing I would play in the World Cup. I never let any negative thoughts creep into my mind. The only time I ever got down was when I was working in the gym and watching all the World Cup build-up. It was horrible. The bloke who helped me most was Mike Clegg, one of the fitness coaches at United. He pushed me and got the best out of me. About three weeks ago, I started to feel good again. From that moment I couldnt feel pain in my foot any more. It was then I realised I was going to come through. The doctors then made it clear that if there was contact in training I would be OK. That took a lot of pressure off me. And here I am today. --------------------------------- [7] Rooney on speaking to Fergie --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: I spoke to him a few times and he kept wishing me luck. Hes been really supportive from day one. Hes always wanted me to play in the World Cup. Now Im here hes really happy for me. --------------------------------- [6] Rooney expects to be kicked --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: I have already been kicked a few times in the tournament and Im sure it will happen again on Saturday. But you just have to get on with it and play your game. Above all, you have to stay cool. My main aim was to play out here and Im really happy to have taken part in three games already. Hopefully, it will now be another three games. You never know whats going to happen. Im hungry to score and the sooner I do the better, whether thats the next game or the game after. In training I can feel my form coming back. Every day Im getting better. The more youre playing, the more youre touching the ball, the better it gets. Hopefully, by the time the Portugal game comes, Ill be back to my best. It would be nice to get a first World Cup goal. But as long as the team wins, thats the main thing. I dont know how I would feel if I scored after so long out. With luck, though, Ill score soon. Its brilliant when the fans are behind you and chanting your name. --------------------------------- [5] Ex Reds --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: Norwich want Luke Chadwick Nigel Worthington "We have been looking for someone on the wide right area since Mark Rivers left the club. It has been hard to get a man who is an out-and-out wide right player. It's been difficult, but we will continue to look and see what we can do. It is a situation that we can look to try and resolve, but it has been on-going for the last couple of years. Luke Chadwick is a player that we quite like for the position. He can pass and he gets crosses in. We have inquired about him and we are waiting to see what happens." and Macclesfield have signed Colin Heath Brain Horton "I've seen Colin play in a few different positions - wide left, wide right and up front. He's also played midfield. Colin is a great young player and like I said he can play in a number of different positions, so there will be plenty of options with him. I'm looking forward to see how he plays during the pre-season matches." The Men in Black - paperback edition out this month http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-795737-10393254 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-795737-10364037 CDs, DVDs, Games - great prices with free delivery Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news --------------------------------- [4] Important. Please read with regard to news from now until July 15th. --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: The Ed has gone on a well deserved and long overdue holiday. It means that until July 15th news here will be sporadic at best. We'll try our best but please bear with us and be patient and understanding. Normal service will resume from July 15th but we'll do our best in the meantime with United news on what is now known as the best United website on the planet! In the meantime why not give the whole of Red News a tonic and order something - including the summer mag out July 14th - which helps support this site, keeps it alive and will give the Ed a smile when he returns to bring you extensive news day-in, day-out, 24-7. Red News Summer Edition. RN 126. Available July 14th. 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Order by credit card or cheque at... http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shopec68.htmency_code=GBP http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shopec68.htmency_code=GBP NEW UNOFFICIAL ALTERNATIVE SHIRTS http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop64.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop64.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop65.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shop65.htm Back Issues http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shopsub2.htm http://www.rednews.co.uk/shop/shopsub2.htm **** Have a FREE World Cup bet When you plan to have a bet - use Sporting Odds through us http://www.sportingodds.com/index.asp?tpid=2983 http://www.sportingodds.com/index.asp?tpid=2983 http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2051413-10351781 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-795737-10351781 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news --------------------------------- [3] England ref for Saturday --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: is Argentina's Horacio Elizondo who sent Becks off against Mexican side Necaxa in the first game of the 2000 World Club Championship in Brazil. --------------------------------- [2] Press Release. Old Trafford Supporters Club with Paddy Crerand meeting. July 8th --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: http://www.oldtraffordsupportersclub.com http://www.oldtraffordsupportersclub.com The creation of the Old Trafford Supporters Club continues to move at a fast pace and we want to provide supporters of Manchester United with continued updates on how the Supporters Club, YOUR supporters club, is progressing. We would like to inform you that a meeting has been arranged for Saturday 8th July 2006 at 14:00hrs. We are encouraging people to contact us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with their details as the venue has only limited capacity. In attendance there will be several branch supporters' club secretaries and we are also delighted to announce that Paddy Crerand will be attending in an official capacity for the Old Trafford Supporters Club. Paddy will be handing over the first cheques in to the community fund and we hope this will be the first of many. On the 10th July 2006 we will then further update our website - http://www.oldtraffordsupportersclub.com/ http://www.oldtraffordsupportersclub.com/ - with details of the meeting and we will also publish the first amount deposited in to the community fund. For people wishing to attend the meeting please e.mail your contact details to us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and we will get straight back to you. Please pass this email on to people who you know that may wish to participate, The Supporters Club will be a venue for ordinary Manchester United fans to mix, socialise and gather in, not just on matchdays, close to the home of Old Trafford. A social club that United has badly needed, away from the politics, one which will be open for ALL Manchester United fans to be involved with. If you run a business and want to let fellow United supporters know about it - we plan to have a section on our website detailing where fellow Reds can locate and use businesses that are run by Reds - you never need to hire a Bitter Blue plumber again! If you are a Red, have a business let us know at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and we'll flag you up to fellow Reds. Now that people realise that the long awaited Supporters Club for ordinary Manchester United fans is finally happening there is a great deal of excitement. Come to the meeting and find out the next stages of the development. For too long ordinary United supporters have needed a home. The Old Trafford Supporters Club - doors open to all Manchester United fans who follow the Reds through thick and thin - will be that home. It is our legacy to future United supporting generations that we were the ones that made it happen. You come to Old Trafford and you spend your money - then why not spend your own money at YOUR own Social Club where there will be many benefits - the profit is ploughed back to you and you are all a part of it. We're excited about this. We know you will be. Together it WILL happen. [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.oldtraffordsupportersclub.com/ http://www.oldtraffordsupportersclub.com/ --------------------------------- [1] Van der Sar --------------------------------- Posted Thursday, June 29, 2006 by ed: from our Dutch correspondent, Jan VDS quoted in Holland as saying "I'm 35 now and I want to win prizes with Manchester United and considering my age I'm not sure if I can combine that with all the games for the Dutch team. So I really have to think about that first to make a decision." P.S., Jan adds "That Sun sh1t about Ruud's attitude before the Portugal game is all new to me. Never read anything about that over here in Holland. He didn't agree with Marco about his replacement, so what... that's his right, but he did respect his decision. And anyone who saw the game must admit that his replacement up front Dirk Kuyt was KUT (that's dutch for utterly s**t!). --------------------------------- [33] Sven on Gary Nev --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: "He seems to be very good, he did everything and did not feel anything after the training, so I think he will be OK for Saturday. His experience might be very important to us in a game like this." --------------------------------- [32] Times on Ronaldo --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: 'IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER England will face the unpredictable threat of Cristiano Ronaldo when they take on Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, but Manchester United might be about to find out what a slippery customer he can be. There was astonishment at Old Trafford yesterday when the club learnt that the winger was talking of an agreement to join Real Madrid and, while their fury was subsequently vented at one of the Spanish clubs presidential candidates, they are extremely concerned by the players apparent two-timing. There have been long-standing rumours of Ronaldos dissatisfaction with life at United and specifically of his desire to move to Real. These had not been dismissed by his decision to sign a new five-year contract last autumn, but it came as a great surprise yesterday when the 20-year-old was quoted in Marca, the Madrid-based sports newspaper, talking casually about his decision to sign up to the project laid out to him by Juan Miguel Villar Mir, who hopes to become the Spanish clubs president at their elections on Sunday. I have told my agent I am prepared to leave, Ronaldo said. I want to do it in the best manner possible. I want to play for Real Madrid and dream of doing so. I have gone with Villar Mirs project because it is serious and follows correct procedures. Other candidates wanted me to sign a document which is not legal. Villar Mir has promised me he will talk to the club and all we have done is talk through an agent. They have explained to me their plans and the next step is they will talk to Manchester United to open negotiations. United issued a relatively dismissive statement shortly before 11am yesterday, saying that Ronaldo had signed a long-term contract and that we will not be drawn further on this matter. An hour and a half later, though, after Villar Mir had confirmed the players story, they issued a far more robust statement, declaring themselves astonished by the comments of the presidential candidate, who has also talked of plans to recruit Arsène Wenger or Sven-Göran Eriksson. Manchester United is astonished with Villar Mirs comments, a United spokesman said. There has been no contact between Manchester United, his election team and or Real Madrid and any suggestion there has is incorrect. Unfortunately, these tactics seem to be a common occurrence in elections of this nature. Ronaldo has signed a long-term contract until June 2010 and will be a player with Manchester United next season. United have good reason to be dissatisfied, although they have not always been innocent victims in their previous experience of elections of this nature. In June 2003, Peter Kenyon, their chief executive at the time, negotiated a deal to sell David Beckham to Barcelona if Joan Laporta was elected as president. On the back of that and other promises, Laporta won by a landslide, but the pact was rendered meaningless because Beckham had no interest in moving to a club who appeared to be in decline and insisted on joining Real instead. Although Ronaldos agent, Jorge Mendes, was not available to comment last night, sources indicate that Villar Mirs claims of an agreement with the players representatives are accurate. Less clear are Villar Mirs prospects of winning Sundays election. The 74-year-old lawyer, who briefly served as Spains Finance Minister in the 1970s, has led a strong campaign along with his running mate, Carlos Sainz, the rally driver but Lorenzo Sanz, Arturo Baldasano and Ramon Calderon also enjoy strong support among the clubs 70,000 members. Also unclear are Ronaldos prospects of facing England in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday. The winger is still having treatment for the bruised thigh that prompted him to leave the field in tears during Sundays quarter-final victory over Holland.' --------------------------------- [31] A Red Perspective World Cup Report by Dougie --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: I know some you have no time for international football and some support countries who have \ do not qualify for the actual tournament, but all I can say is you are missing out big time. I got back from Germany on Friday after 2 of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. The whole WC experience was brilliant. At France 98 it was described as a party to which England were not invited, well this time it was a party at which England were the guest of honour !! There were 6 of us in a camper van (1 United,me, 2 City, 1 Leeds, 1 Everton, and 1 Spurs fan) and we spent 2 days and nights in each of the cities where England were playing and in between games we went out into the wilds to see the 'real Germany' and everywhere we went the Germans were great hosts. We were given free drinks at 6 different bars (including a round of schapps sent to us by a group of Ukranians \ Russians) , my mate who collects glasses \ tankards was given 3 free steins when he tried to buy them at different pubs, we were given a free fish off a barbecue (long story !) . At evey camping place Germans came up helping us sort out electric and water when they saw us struggling. We had people coming up to us in the street wishing England good luck and welcoming us to their country and hoping we enjoyed it. We swapped a couple of shirts and badges with fans from other nations. I have pictures of us with Trinidadians, Italians, Americans, South Koreans, Mexicans, Swedes and Germans. The whole fortnight was one long party - the police for once being totally chilled and letting us 'do our thing', and for once no meatheads spoiling it for the rest of us (thank you banning orders) I actually played in an organised cricket match in a park in Nurnberg for "england fans" against "T&T fans" watched by incredulous Germans and even more incredulous German police watched by a couple of hundred England fans and a smaller number of T&T fans, all mingling and having a laugh -it was one of the highlights and thankfully for once the press were there in force to record the good side of England fans. I have a great pic of me and mates with 2 Rastas - surprising when you all know every single England fan is a rabid racist !! We even saw a few Jocks in kilts and a couple of Nothern Irish lads out there and a couple of Southern Irish with a flag saying "if only" written on it ! So it was not just countries who had qualifed who had fans out there. One of the most bizzare sights was in Koln in front of the famous cathedral - a group of South Koreans doing some sort of dance round in a circle banging drums - after 10 mins it had turned into aobut 60 fans doing a circular type conga - in the front an English fan banging a drum, followed by 2 Germans blowing plastic trumpets, then an Italian with a flag, then some Mexicans, a couple in Brazil shirts etc etc.The whole atmosphere every where we went was just great. Yes, so far England games have been pretty sh*te and yes in some ways the mixture of fans (lots of corporates) at games has taken it away from 'real fans' to turn it all into an 'event' - hence the fact that we only got to one game live, having to watch the Paraguay and Sweden games on big screens in Fan Fests which held over 30,000 and though great not as good as being there - but it is a unique experience. I have seen United abroad 15 ish or so times, and been to many England games abroad 30 ish - this being my 3rd World Cup (Spain 82 & France 98) plus Euros in Holland \ Belgium 2000 and Portugal 2004 and have enjoyed everyone of those, but for sheer friendliness and atmsopehre and mixing with other fans this has been the best ever !! So thank you Germany you have been great hosts and like I say to those of you who have never been to a World Cup - you are really missing out - next time around try and get there you will have a great time!! England trips and United trips are usually quite different, United short and sweet, England tend to be longer competititions, but both good fun,good lads and loads of bevvy and strange food. --------------------------------- [30] World Cup Deutschland 2006 - a Red Perspective by Nigel A --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: I'm as patriotic as the next Anglo Saxon Englishman but from a personal point of view Manchester United has always been more important than my national team. Given the choice of whether I could go the rest of my lifetime without United winning another European Cup, Champions League or whatever you want to call it, or England not winning, well, anything, and I'll settle for the latter every time. I have watched England on a number of occasions over the years when it suited me but have never been to an overseas international or for that matter an international tournament. I don't count Euro 96 which I did attend as that was on my bloody door step!!! So, with 4 of my mates being 50 this year we wanted to go somewhere for a few days R&R (rest and recuperation), oh okay then, 3 or 4 days on the p1ss!! So it was decided we'd do Berlin while the World Cup was on. What a great decision, as it turned out to be an absolutely fan-tastic and unforgettable experience. And so it was then that 14 intrepid explorers (pissheads) gathered at Liver...... - the other North West airport, to prepare for the short EasyJet hop to Berlin. One had flown in from Australia for the occasion and we were to meet an old pal over there who was travelling down by train from Sweden where he has lived for the past 20 years or so. Out of the assembled crowd there was only myself and one other who regularly travel abroad watching football so we became, by default, the "tour leaders". Not that that involved much other than finding the next bar, which wasn't difficult as there were that many!! >From the moment we landed in Berlin we were welcomed with open arms by >everyone, and it was apparent that this was going to be one long party. For >those who know Berlin's layout the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag (the >German Parliament Building) formed the city's focal point for the tournament. >Outside the Gate you will have seen a huge football (just under the BBC >studio) and on the other side a massive screen with loads of temporary bars >dotted around. This was to be our first experience of the global party as we >watched (sic) Italy v Ghana whilst drinking copious amounts of beer with >people from all points of the compass, but most noticeably Swedes and >Croatians. Away from the Brandenburg Gate runs a mile long boulevard which was chocca with people just partying and having a great time!! This boulevard we learned later, had half a million people on it watching Germany and Poland the following night. The German people were 100% behind their team despite their reservations about manager Klinsmann and I think if they get any real momentum going they could prove difficult to stop. Outside the Reichstag is a huge park, that for the World Cup has been taken over by the Adidas Arena, an 8,500 mini stadium with a screen at each end in which people could watch all the games for a cost of 3 Euros, with beer and food on tap. Surrounding this were 5-a-side pitches and more plasmas than you could shake a stick at. We decided that this might be a good spot to watch the Germany v Poland match but, as you might guess, it was sold out, so we ended up buying some briefs from a tout for 10 Euros each. Nice earner for him but well worth it for the crazy, manic, surreal atmosphere we found ourselves in. Lots of Poles there too and no trouble despite the obvious potential. It is difficult to explain the wierdness of it, buying a brief from a tout to watch a game on a big screen surrounded by people from every point of the compass!! Unreal. Also around Berlin the organisers of the "party" had set up beach areas, yes I said beach areas, with tons of sand, temporary bars and lots of chilled out sounds. Again, totally out of context with being in the middle of a huge, bustling metropolis!! Then again they must have had a good long range forecast as for the three days we were in Berlin it was officially the hottest city in Europe, hotter than the Costa's and the Greek Islands, with temperatures peaking at around 33C. Good excuse for another beer I thought!! Add to all this fun was the cost of living, okay food & drink then, with average beer prices being about 2.5 Euros for a half litre of beer with 4 Euros being the most we paid anywhere. Food was equally affordable and none of us broke the Bank. That could have happened had any of us fallen prey to one of the many ladies of the night drafted (trafficked??) into Germany for the tournament. As with any other city there were certain streets with a liberal sprinkling of available ladies offering their wares for, I believe, not unreasonable prices. But I can't say that the place was swarming with them, despite what you may have read in the press over here. One of the funniest things we saw was a huge traffic jam caused by people just abandoning cars to join a throng of people outside a bar to watch a couple of young, naked Germans (one of each sex!) "showing off" with some very physical, almost sadistic behaviour on the pavement!! Never seen that on Deansgate!! Overall then my verdict has to be that it was an experience to match no other I've ever had and a totally different experience to watching United abroad. We must have seen fans, and had drinks with most, from upwards of 20 different competing countries, together with several countries like the Welsh, Irish and Scots who hadn't even qualified. And not a bad word spoken in anger!! Absolutely great 3 days that, to a degree, restored my faith in humanity and showed that to be proud of your nationality and patriotic you don't have to be an aggressor!! Football was certainly the winner and proved that it can be "the global language". Fan-tastic!!!! Onspeed - cheap broadband like speeds for dial up users, only £24.99 a year! http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-795737-10385148 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-795737-10378344 "Broadband Speeds for £24.99 a Year" Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news --------------------------------- [28] Sportinglife on Presidential elections --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: 'Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Inter Milan striker Adriano are all being lined up for moves to Real Madrid - depending on the outcome of their presidential elections. However, Arsene Wenger will not be the next manager, according to a leding football agent close to Wenger and Spanish football. Ronaldo is currently preparing for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against England in Gelsenkirchen, but his club future now looks set to become a major talking point in the coming weeks. The 21-year-old winger has lit up Old Trafford for three seasons with his range of skills since making a £12.25million move from Sporting Lisbon. But Spanish sports daily Marca reports that Ronaldo is keen to leave the Red Devils in favour of a move to the Bernabeu. Any bid from Real would depend on the outcome of the election on July 2, with candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir pulling the strings behind the deal. Ronaldo is reported to have said: "I've told my agent I'm prepared to leave but I want to do it in the best manner possible. I want to play for Real Madrid and dream of doing so. "I've gone with Villar Mir's project because it's serious and follows correct procedures. They've explained to me their plans and the next step is they will talk to Manchester United to open negotiations. "Other candidates wanted me to sign a document which is not legal. Villar Mir has promised me he will talk to the club and all we have done is talk through an agent." At a lunchtime press conference, Villar Mir said: "Manchester United know that we are talking with him. We have gone in 'through the front door'." However, United issued a statement denying Villa Mir's claims. It read: "Manchester United are astonished with Juan Miguel Villar Mir's comments. There has been no contact between Manchester United and his election team or Real Madrid, and any suggestion there has been is incorrect. "Unfortunately these tactics seem to be a common occurrence in elections of this nature. "Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a long-term contract with Manchester United which runs until 2010. He will be a Manchester United player next season." Meanwhile Arturo Baldasano, one of Villar Mir's rivals, claims he has been in contact with Arsenal midfielder Fabregas over a possible move. Baldasano is one of several candidates battling it out for the post left vacant by former supremo Fernando Martin, who resigned in April. And having recently revealed he is chasing Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, Baldasano has now added Spain international Fabregas to the list of players he is hoping to bring to the club - a list which also includes Joaquin and Fabregas' club and international team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes. "We've been in contact with Cesc and his agent has revealed to us that he wants to come to Madrid," Baldasano told the Spanish media. "There is nothing better to continue our project to nationalise Real Madrid than by bringing in Cesc, Joaquin and Reyes, with the addition of (Mahamadou) Diarra, who is an extraordinary player." The story doesn't end there, though, with Lorenzo Sanz, another candidate, claiming to have reached an agreement to sign Adriano. Former Real president Sanz is in the running to replace Martin, who left the post just two months after replacing former supremo Florentino Perez. Sanz insists he has reached an agreement with Inter president Massimo Moratti forBrazilian striker Adriano, as well as an unnamed club-mate, as he prepares for the the elections on July 2. He also claims deals have been reached for two other anonymous players, one from England and one from Portugal. "On Thursday we will present four players' contracts to show that we have a done deal," Sanz told Radio Marca. "Two players are from Inter, one is Portuguese and there is also an English one." Pedro de Filipe, a football agent linked strongly with the Madrid elections, believes Villar Mir's declaration that he wants Wenger as the new coach at the Bernabeu was announced purely as a vote-winner. The presidential candidate claims to have spoken to the Arsenal manager and believes he can persuade the Frenchman to quit the Gunners. But De Felipe dismissed Villar Mir's plans as a ploy to help him win the election. The agent told Spanish newspaper AS: "The Wenger story and the candidacy of Villar Mir is false. All lies, completely false. "I said the same thing about the (Carlo) Ancelotti story, going against everyone else, stating that, too, was a lie and time proved me to be right. "The source of that false information was exactly the same as the one used now. The origin is the same and everyone knows what I am talking about. "I shall go further. I will bet 300,000 euros (£200,000) that Wenger has not signed up with anyone and that on Monday July 3, Villar Mir will not present Wenger as coach. "I shall place this amount of money with a lawyer if needs be. I am prepared, though, for them to prove me wrong and shut me up. "I know that 20 days ago, there was a meeting in Paris. I know who was there and what happened. "When the identity of the people who were involved comes out, many people are going to hide away. "It is the same people that made up the story about Ancelotti. They will do anything to create expectations before the elections to play on the feelings of the fans and members again." De Filipe also expects Wenger to deny that he is taking over at Madrid. "(Wenger) will (deny it), in some form, very soon. Wenger, who I speak to often, has authorised me to state that his supposed commitment to Villar Mir and Carlos Sainz is an invention and that he has not committed himself to anybody. "Some people try to sell smoke, but the fact is that Villar Mir and his whole team are smoking the pipes." --------------------------------- [27] Daniel Taylor in Guardian --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: 'It was when Rio Ferdinand was off his chair, heading for the door at the close of a briefing full of intelligent and thoughtful answers, that he was asked to give his preference: Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo? "Rooney," he replied instinctively. There was no slight intended against Ronaldo, a player whom Ferdinand has eulogised about many times and who he described yesterday as "one of the best in the world". It was just that the defender's admiration for Rooney has been enhanced having watched from close quarters as his Manchester United team-mate has fought his way back from a broken metatarsal, defying medical opinion as well as Sir Alex Ferguson, to re-establish himself as a fixture in Sven-Goran Eriksson's side. Privately, Ferdinand had feared the worst for his friend and colleague. He did not want to admit it but he had been pessimistic about Rooney's chances of making it to Germany. He even found himself telling white lies. A fortnight ago he was sitting in the same room and when asked whether he thought Rooney would be able to play a prominent part in the World Cup he said the words he thought everyone wanted to hear rather than what he actually thought actually was the case. "I was telling you guys 'I think he will be all right, I think he will be fit', yet although I was saying that, there was quite a bit of doubt in my mind about whether it would happen. I did doubt whether he actually would be fit and ready, and I have to admit that he has surprised me. We were 70-odd minutes into the game against Ecuador and he went down the left, did that little turn to beat his man and set up Frank Lampard for a chance. That was late in the game and, to be honest, I didn't think he would have something like that still in his tank. "He just seemed to get stronger and stronger as the game went on. He was getting stronger while their players were beginning to wane. "We don't want to go overboard and say he is back to his maximum, because it's going to take many more minutes of football before that's the case. But he's a fit lad, really fit, naturally fit. People talk about the way he looks but the tests show that he does more running than anyone else in the Manchester United team and it's probably the same for England as well." Rooney may naturally gravitate towards the other Merseysiders in the England dressing room but nobody in Eriksson's squad is as well acquainted with him as Ferdinand. Having spent two seasons together at Old Trafford the centre-back is well qualified to talk about the 20-year-old's attributes and, in particular, the myth that has sprung up about him being unhappy playing as a front man rather than dropping into more deep-lying positions, as he does for Manchester United. It is a peculiar and misinformed argument. Rooney, on the contrary, has spoken many times in the past about his desire to play in the more advanced role. It is just that Ferguson believes playing in the hole to be his best position, dropping in behind another striker and linking up play with midfield. Many would concur with the United manager when he says Rooney's creativity is superior to any other playmaker in the Premiership, but the man himself has repeatedly stated that he likes playing as the main point of attack. "That's where he wants to be," said Ferdinand. "People say Wayne can't play in this different role. Listen, Wayne can do it. He's that good he can play anywhere well. He's got enough strength and desire and nous. He can run in behind as well as any other centre-forward and he can drop off as well as anyone. People say this and that but the truth is he feels that, playing at the top, he's got more chance of going through on goal. He's a striker and, like every striker, he loves scoring goals. It's what he's all about." --------------------------------- [26] More Terry Henry spin --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: "Puyol came up to me afterwards and apologised so how is that cheating?. Spain's left-back Mariano Perina was going to win the ball, so I don't know why Puyol cut across me, but he did. I don't cheat. People can say whatever they want to say but if any team has been cheated since the beginning of the tournament it's France,. Look at the replay, their left-back was going to take the ball and Puyol came across me and blocked me. If that's basketball that's a good block, but we're not playing basketball. In my head I'm not a guy who does go down or cheats." --------------------------------- [25] Simon Stone for PA --------------------------------- Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2006 by ed: He's got obvious good contacts at United 'Manchester United have signalled their determination to keep Cristiano Ronaldo by launching a savage dismissal of claims they have opened negotiations to sell the winger to Real Madrid. United initially reacted in a relaxed manner to comments attributed to Ronaldo stating he had already held interim discussions with Real presidential candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir and was interested in a move to the Bernabeu. However, the Old Trafford club were then staggered to discover Mir had not only backed up Ronaldo's version of events but also stated talks between his officials and United had been held to clear the path towards a permanent deal. ``Manchester United know that we are talking with him,'' he said. ``We have gone in `through the front door'.'' Mir's allegation was tantamount to revealing an intention by the Red Devils to sell one of the cornerstones of Sir Alex Ferguson's current rebuilding work, just months into a contract extension which is due to run until 2010. Condemnation from United was swift and to the point. David Beckham was repeatedly named as Joan Laporta's number one target when he was bidding to take control at Barcelona in 2003. The key difference at that time was the knowledge that Beckham's relationship with Ferguson had collapsed and, in the end, United agreed a sale to Barca on condition Laporta won the election, only for the player to elect to join Madrid instead. In Ronaldo's case, Villar Mir appears to be looking to exploit the attraction life in the Spanish capital could have over Manchester for a player brought up in the Madeira sunshine. Should he prove successful in Sunday's election, as is entirely possible, a firm bid cannot be ruled out. Ronaldo's apparent comments, reported in Spanish paper Marca, which has close links to Madrid, do not suggest it will be possible for United - whose proposed pre-season friendly with Real now seems unlikely to materialise - to dismiss it completely out of hand. Ferguson will no doubt wish to speak with Ronaldo about the comments and his intentions, although contact may be difficult ahead of Portugal's World Cup quarter-final clash with England in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday. It is hardly the best backdrop for the Scot's return to United's Carrington training base on Monday for the start of pre-season preparations for players not involved in Germany. Having targeted United's midfield as an area where reinforcement is required, Ferguson has yet to bring in any new blood. A deal to sign Tottenham's Michael Carrick seems certain to be concluded once England's World Cup bid is over but Lyon's Mahamadou Diarra is yet to be convinced about the merits of life at Old Trafford, while Ferguson appears to be facing a fight with cash-rich Chelsea for #20million-rated Spain striker Fernando Torres. And, with Ruud van Nistelrooy seemingly certain to leave following an end-of-season bust-up with his manager, Ferguson has plenty of work to do before his side face Fulham in their opening Premiership game on August 19. ' http://www.qksrv.net/click-795737-5590780 Check http://www.rednews.co.uk to view the image which has been removed from plain text email version of news ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For United books, videos, DVDs etc http://www.rednews.co.uk/ama.php?id=amazon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/6pRQfA/fOaOAA/yQLSAA/GtUolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> For the very latest news check out the website: http://www.rednews.co.uk Yahoo! 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