Why Pep would be an inspired choice to replace Fergie at Man United

The working title of that fly-on-the-wall documentary charting Graham Taylor's ill-starred reign as England manager was 'The Impossible Job' before it was hijacked by his catchphrase Do I Not Like That.
Of course, the England job is a piece of cake these days. Pick the best players in the country, arrange them in a recognisable formation, make a complete hash of the World Cup, trouser £6 million a year, nice work if you can get it.
The real impossible jobs in football fall to the poor saps who follow long-serving legends into the cockpit when they step down at clubs where they have built dynasties.
Frank Clark, worthy and earnest as he may have been, never stood a chance of replicating Brian Clough's success at Nottingham Forest. Whoever takes over at Arsenal from Arsene Wenger will be a genius if his team can string half as many passes together. Lou Macari was a square peg in a round hole at West Ham after almost 40 years of the Ron Greenwood-John Lyall axis.

 

And sooner or later, Manchester United will have to grasp the nettle and find a long-term successor for Sir Alex Ferguson. The old Govan growler had second thoughts after he was tempted by the pipe and slippers eight years ago, but at 68 the search has intensified again, and smoke signals emanating from Spain suggest Barcelona's Pep Guardiola is the man in pole position - recommended by Fergie himself.
He would be a good choice, if only because - in the worst case scenario - Guardiola would be expendable if his inheritance from Fergie turned out to be a poisoned chalice. A battalion of United legends, including Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce and Roy Keane, were revered at Old Trafford as players - but their reputations would be tarnished if they returned to the club as Ferguson's immediate successor and found him an impossible act to follow.
When Sir Matt Busby stepped down, Wilf McGuinness and Frank O'Farrell never stood a chance of emulating the United godfather's triumphs. Not a prayer. It was almost as if United's nosedive, culminating in reluctant executioner Denis Law rubber-stamping their relegation in 1974, was a necessary evil so that Tommy Docherty, Ron Atkinson and Sir Alex could restore the club's fortunes.
On that basis, Guardiola would be an inspired appointment. If he makes a hash of it, United fans will not be forced to loosen or sever emotional ties with a favourite son; but if he brings the same brand of slick, pass-and-move football which has turned Barcelona into market leaders worldwide, he will fit like Cinderella's glass slipper.
As a player, Guardiola was an aristocrat, a product of Barcelona's La Masia nursery - the dream factory which churned out Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi - so his pedigree is not an issue.
Even as Barca were passing United to death at the Champions League final 17 months ago, Ferguson recognised a kindred spirit in the way Guardiola's team played the game: an accent on flair rather than suffocation, a commitment to attack rather than absorbing pressure and stealing points with the stealth of pickpockets, entertainment rather than clinical efficiency.
Those are the principles which sets Guardiola apart from Jose Mourinho, now his rival across the Gran Classico divide at Real Madrid.
And Guardiola's relationship with new Barcelona president Sandro Rossell is said to be strained after Mourinho stole a march on Barcelona in La Liga.
If there is a parting of the ways at the Nou Camp, there are worse candidates to succeed Ferguson than Spanish football's king of the Pep-talk. Watch this space.

taken from:mirror

Rooney stayed at Manchester United.

Rooney will remain with the Red Devils until at least June 2015 - much to the relief of Ferguson.
The Scot said: "It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.
"I said to the boy that the door is always open and I'm delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.
"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.
"I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.
"I'm pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.
"I'm sure everyone involved with the club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of."
Rooney, 24, said: "I'm delighted to sign another deal at United.
"In the last couple of days, I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong.

"I said on Wednesday the manager's a genius and it's his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.
"I'm signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history — which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.
"I'm sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they've read and seen, but my position was from concern over the future.

"The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances to win them over again."

Come and get me! Manchester United put on red alert after Wesley Sneijder talks over new Inter Milan deal collapses

Wesley Sneijder has put Manchester United on red-alert after talks over a new Inter Milan deal collapsed.The Holland international - who played a lead role in helping the Oranje to the World Cup final - was a summer target for Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the midfielder seemingly ended any hope United had of luring Sneijder to England after publicly pledging his future to Inter.

Wanted man: Wesley Sneijder is a hot-property across Europe

Talks over a new deal with the European champions had begun, but those negotiations have since come to a standstill.
Soren Lorby, Sneijder's agent said: 'The talks have broken off and will resume when Inter open the door again to continue,
'Wesley has become very popular throughout Europe after the World Cup, but he has an obligation to Inter and was flattered by the words of [Inter president] Massimo Morratti, who claimed he was the leader for years to come.
'Wesley had the prospect of a great salary but Inter have gone back on their previous words.'

Plotting: Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho could battle it out for Sneijder

If Sneijder is made available, United will be forced to battle it out with Real Madrid.
Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho built a special bond with Sneijder during his trophy-laden spell at the San Siro.
And Lorby added: 'The attitude of the club gives him an uneasy feeling and that is reinforced by the interest of Real Madrid.
'Everyone knows that Jose Mourinho and Wesley have a very special relationship. Madrid is a more serious option now after Wesley winning three awards and reaching the World Cup final with the Oranje.'

REAL MADRID are prepared to go to war with Sir Alex Ferguson over Wayne Rooney.

The Spanish club are adamant they can land the unhappy Manchester United striker. But they will wait until the end of the season to make a concrete move because Jose Mourinho has ruled out any bid in January.

Rooney has sparked a war of words with boss Fergie over his phantom ankle injury which the United manager has  blamed for his key striker for missing games.

The England hitman has suggested the injury is a figment of Fergie’s imagination – which puts him on collision course with his manager.

Madrid have already made it clear that Rooney is their main £75m summer target. And they are prepared to play the long game and to lure him away – in the same way they landed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Madrid sources said last night: “There is no haste in the subject. It is something which can be completed at the end of the season. We know Rooney has not signed a new deal. Real are ready for the battle with Alex Ferguson. They know what to expect, they have been down this road before.”

United are poised to sit down with Rooney and discuss a new and improved contract.

He has almost 18 months of his current deal remaining but both parties have been unable to find the time to open talks following the furore surrounding Rooney in recent months.

But Fergie wants to see Rooney prove to him that he deserves a new deal. A source said: “It is time for Wayne to start delivering the goods on the pitch. That’s what he’s paid to do and there have been too many distractions this season.

“The manager believes he should forget about talking to those willing to listen and start scoring goals, and the West  Brom game is an ideal chance to do just that.”

Real boss Mourinho admitted on Wednesday that he would like to work with Rooney in the future. He said last night: “I have confidence in my players this season and there will be no arrivals in January.

“I have been clear and the club have accepted my decisions. In June we will analyse the situation and see how we  have done and then decide who we need.”

But Fergie is anxious Rooney starts doing his talking on the pitch rather than off it.

The United boss is annoyed that a player of Rooney’s stature has dared to contradict him and will not stand for it.

He has proved in the past that he will not tolerate such behaviour from any player – no matter how important they are to the team.

And he wants the 24-year-old to forget his off-field troubles and rediscover the form which saw him notch 34 goals last season.

Fergie leave fans in the dark

ALEX FERGUSON has side-stepped a chance to kill off rumours of a rift with England striker Wayne Rooney.

And that has fuelled worries there IS a problem between the Manchester United boss and his troubled star.

Rooney openly confronted Fergie this week over his apparent ankle injury and claimed the boss was wrong to say he had a problem - and that he had always been fit to play.

But the United boss would only talk to the club's own TV station yesterday who, incredibly, asked only one question on the subject.

Asked by an MUTV 'reporter' whether it was all just the media blowing things out of proportion, Ferguson replied: "The lad's got a high profile and the Press are always going to seek him out for an interview or a quote.

"But it's water off a duck's back really. You've got to put that aside to know the real things that are happening at the club. It just passes off."

So no question about whether he has an ankle injury, nothing about Rooney contradicting Fergie and no enquiry as to whether he will play against West Brom this afternoon.

As it is, Fergie appears to have left Rooney sweating on whether he will get the nod and is set to name his team at lunchtime.

He dropped Rooney from his side for the trip to Everton this season to protect him from fans' abuse following revelations about the player's dalliance with a prostitute.

He has also left him out of the last two games, claiming the player had an ankle injury.

But after England's 0-0 draw with Montenegro on Tuesday, Rooney was adamant this was not the case.

There are growing fears at United that Rooney could be heading for the exit door with a new contract unsigned on the table and Real Madrid hovering.

The player himself is struggling on and off the pitch, having failed to score from open play for United since last March.

But his old Everton boss David Moyes is backing him to return in style. Moyes said: "I know his type. What he will do is bounce back and he'll bounce back with a vengeance.

"He's got that built-in desire and commitment that all top players have and I'm sure it won't be long before Wayne's back on song.

"Wayne's a top player working under arguably the best manager we've known, certainly in my time.

"Wayne would be the first to admit he's not playing as well as he has done, everybody will say it's for other reasons. But knowing Wayne, he'll be saying, 'No, it's not for other reasons'.

"He'll be saying it's my football. And if my football's not good enough, then judge me on that."

Meanwhile, Fergie has hit out at reknowned Colorado-based knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman for claiming Owen Hargreaves was fit to play against West Brom.

Fergie said: "Owen's not ready. He's got a calf injury. I pick the team and have been doing for a while.

"We're having some difficulties with the doctor in Colorado. It's not fair to the player, fans and to ourselves to say the player is going to be playing. It's ridiculous."

Lasana Diara

Lassana Diarra ready to quit Real Madrid with Manchester United and Tottenham lurking

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra has opened the door to a January return to England - with Manchester United and Tottenham in the queue to bag the France international.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal star is concerned he isn't playing enough first-team football under Jose Mourinho, particularly after the signing of Germany star Sami Khedira.

Diarra was heavily linked with a return to England in the summer transfer window with Tottenham and Manchester United interested in bringing the 25-year-old back to the Barclays Premier League.

And the top-flight high fliers have been put on red alert after Diarra admitted he will seek a move away from the Bernabeu if his first-team chances don't improve.

He said: 'I only play once every two matches. I obviously want to play more and if I am not satisfied, I will draw the conclusions.

'I am not at Real to watch the games. I want to play.'

SIR ALEX FERGUSON IN FOR GREAT DANE ANDERS LINDEGAARD

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is plotting a £4m raid for Danish goalkeeping star Anders Lindegaard.

Manchester United boss Ferguson is a big admirer of the Aalesunds stopper and reckons he can become the long-term successor to Edwin van der Sar.

United have been keeping close tabs on the 26-year-old for six months.
Goalkeeping coach Eric Steele jetted to Norway on Sunday night to watch Lindegaard in action.


Ferguson knows he must solve his keeper problem sooner rather than later and will lodge a bid in the January transfer window.


Van der Sar is 40 later this month and could hang up his gloves at the end of the season.


Lindegaard, who is 6ft 3ins tall, is renowned for being commanding in his area and strong in the air.