England v Bangladesh test to start after rain

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Play on the third day of the second test between England and Bangladesh will start after a rain delay at 1215GMT with the hosts deciding to enforce the follow-on at Old Trafford on Sunday.

England captain Andrew Strauss opted to put Bangladesh in again after his team bowled Bangladesh out for 216, in reply to the home side’s first-innings total of 419.

The tourists lost all ten first innings wickets after tea on the second day having reached 126-0. Tamim Iqbal top-scored with 108 before off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed 5-76 as Bangladesh’s fragile batting line-up capitulated in the final session.

Bangladesh need a win to draw the series after the hosts eased to an eight-wicket victory at Lord’s in the first test.

(Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Bangladesh collapse after another Tamim century

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A dramatic batting collapse turned the second and final test England’s way at Old Trafford after Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal crashed his second exhilarating century in as many matches on Saturday.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five for 76 as Bangladesh, replying to England’s 419, slumped from 126 for nought to 216 all out.

England captain Andrew Strauss must now decide overnight whether to enforce the follow-on at the start of play on the third day on Sunday.

It was quite a turnaround after Tamim’s breathtaking 108 from 114 balls, his fourth test century, and Bangladesh now seem unlikely to grab the victory they need to draw the series.

“It was great to score a hundred but the team matters (more),” the swashbuckling 21-year-old left-hander told reporters. “We didn’t play well after a solid start so I’m not that happy.

“If we could have gone through the day with three or four wickets down it would have been a perfect day. When I walked off I didn’t expect that (collapse),” said Tamim who kissed his bat and waved it towards his team mates on reaching three figures.

Earlier, overnight batsman Ian Bell (128) notched his 11th test century for England and put on 153 for the sixth wicket with Matt Prior (93).

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan produced a late burst of wickets to finish with five for 121.

SPARKLING KNOCKS

The day, though, belonged to Tamim again.

Following his sparkling knocks of 55 and 103 in the first test at Lord’s, the aggressive youngster cut, drove and slashed anything loose in an innings reminiscent of India’s fast-scoring opener Virender Sehwag.

He initially provided Strauss with a major problem as England’s four-man attack struggled in hot and sunny conditions.

Tamim skipped down the pitch and drove Swann over long-on for six to reach his 50 in 43 balls and went on to crack a total of 11 boundaries before he was caught behind off James Anderson trying to cut.

Earlier, he shared an opening stand of 126 with Imrul Kayes who fell for 36 when he hooked paceman Steven Finn to fine leg.

“When I started test cricket I was just trying to survive and when I tried to play a shot I was getting out,” said Tamim.

“I spoke to (coach) Jamie (Siddons) and he said when you are batting in the one-dayers, enjoy yourself, and I thought that’s the way I should play in test cricket.

“Some days I will look fantastic and some days I will look ugly but I think I need to keep going this way.”

After England resumed their first innings on 275 for five, Bell reached his century before being bowled by a sharply spinning delivery from Shakib.

Prior then seemed set for his own ton until he offered a catch off Shakib while reverse sweeping. (Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Collingwood out as Morgan gets Bangladesh call

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Paul Collingwood has been ruled out of England’s two-Test series against Bangladesh with a shoulder injury, it was announced on Sunday.

But batsman Eoin Morgan, who played in the side captained by Collingwood that last Sunday won the World Twenty20 final against Australia in Barbados, has been called up into a Test squad for the Bangladesh series opener, which starts at the Middlesex left-hander’s Lord’s home ground on Thursday.

Meanwhile England fast bowler Stuart Broad will miss the series in order to undergo a “strengthening programme”.

Collingwood’s absence has created room in the Test squad for 23-year-old former Ireland batsman Morgan, although South Africa-born Jonathan Trott also remains in contention.

Morgan’s county colleague Steven Finn retains his place in the Test squad, the fast bowler having played in both of England’s wins in Bangladesh two months ago.

Their fellow Middlesex team-mate Andrew Strauss returns to captain the side, having been rested from the Bangladesh tour and then missing the World Twenty20 as the opening batsman has opted out of that form of the game.

Alastair Cook, who captained the side in Bangladesh, is set to resume his opening partnership with Strauss.

As well as Collingwood and Broad, other players from England’s victorious side in the Caribbean not selected for Lord’s include openers Michael Lumb and wicketkeeper/batsman Craig Kieswetter, left-arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom, left-arm spinner Michael Yardy and all-rounder Luke Wright.

The four ‘survivors’ are Morgan, star batsman Kevin Pietersen, seamer Tim Bresnan and off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Paceman James Anderson, in the squad in the Caribbean but who didn’t play, is in England’s 12 for Lord’s.

The second and final Test of this series gets underway at Old Trafford on June 4.

England first Test squad:

Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Ajmal Shahzad.

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FA Cup winners and runners-up since 1946

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

REUTERS – Results of English FA Cup finals since

the competition restarted in the 1945-46 season after World War

Two:

Season Winners Runners-up Score

1945-46 Derby County Charlton Athletic 4-1 aet

1946-47 Charlton Athletic Burnley 1-0 aet

1947-48 Manchester United Blackpool 4-2

1948-49 Wolverhampton Wan. Leicester City 3-1

1949-50 Arsenal Liverpool 2-0

1950-51 Newcastle United Blackpool 2-0

1951-52 Newcastle United Arsenal 1-0

1952-53 Blackpool Bolton Wanderers 4-3

1953-54 West Bromwich Albion Preston North End 3-2

1954-55 Newcastle United Manchester City 3-1

1955-56 Manchester City Birmingham City 3-1

1956-57 Aston Villa Manchester United 2-1

1957-58 Bolton Wanderers Manchester United 2-0

1958-59 Nottingham Forest Luton Town 2-1

1959-60 Wolverhampton Wan. Blackburn Rovers 3-0

1960-61 Tottenham Hotspur Leicester City 2-0

1961-62 Tottenham Hotspur Burnley 3-1

1962-63 Manchester United Leicester City 3-1

1963-64 West Ham United Preston North End 3-2

1964-65 Liverpool Leeds United 2-1 aet

1965-66 Everton Sheffield Wednesday 3-2

1966-67 Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea 2-1

1967-68 West Bromwich Albion Everton 1-0 aet

1968-69 Manchester City Leicester City 1-0

1969-70 Chelsea Leeds United 2-1 aet

(replay at Old Trafford after 2-2 draw)

1970-71 Arsenal Liverpool 2-1 aet

1971-72 Leeds United Arsenal 1-0

1972-73 Sunderland Leeds United 1-0

1973-74 Liverpool Newcastle United 3-0

1974-75 West Ham United Fulham 2-0

1975-76 Southampton Manchester United 1-0

1976-77 Manchester United Liverpool 2-1

1977-78 Ipswich Town Arsenal 1-0

1978-79 Arsenal Manchester United 3-2

1979-80 West Ham United Arsenal 1-0

1980-81 Tottenham Hotspur Manchester City 3-2

(replay at Wembley Stadium after 1-1 draw)

1981-82 Tottenham Hotspur Queens Park Rangers 1-0

(replay at Wembley Stadium after 1-1 draw)

1982-83 Manchester United Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0

(replay at Wembley Stadium after 2-2 draw)

1983-84 Everton Watford 2-0

1984-85 Manchester United Everton 1-0 aet

1985-86 Liverpool Everton 3-1

1986-87 Coventry City Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 aet

1987-88 Wimbledon Liverpool 1-0

1988-89 Liverpool Everton 3-2 aet

1989-90 Manchester United Crystal Palace 1-0

(replay at Wembley Stadium after 3-3 draw)

1990-91 Tottenham Hotspur Nottingham Forest 2-1 aet

1991-92 Liverpool Sunderland 2-0

1992-93 Arsenal Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 aet

(replay at Wembley Stadium after 1-1 draw)

1993-94 Manchester United Chelsea 4-0

1994-95 Everton Manchester United 1-0

1995-96 Manchester United Liverpool 1-0

1996-97 Chelsea Middlesbrough 2-0

1997-98 Arsenal Newcastle United 2-0

1998-99 Manchester United Newcastle United 2-0

1999-2000 Chelsea Aston Villa 1-0

2000-01 Liverpool Arsenal 2-1

2001-02 Arsenal Chelsea 2-0

2002-03 Arsenal Southampton 1-0

2003-04 Manchester United Millwall 3-0

2004-05 Arsenal Manchester United 0-0 aet

(Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties)

2005-06 Liverpool West Ham United 3-3 aet

(Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties)

2006-07 Chelsea Manchester United 1-0 aet

2007-08 Portsmouth Cardiff City 1-0

2008-09 Chelsea Everton 2-1

2009-10 Chelsea Portsmouth 1-0

FA cup winners since the competition began in 1871-72:

11 – Manchester United

10 – Arsenal

8 – Tottenham Hotspur

7 – Aston Villa, Liverpool

6 – Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United

5 – Everton, The Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion

4 – Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Sheffield United,

Wolverhampton Wanderers

3 – Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United

2 – Bury, Nottingham Forest, Old Etonians, Preston North

End, Sunderland, Portsmouth

1 – Barnsley, Blackburn Olympic, Blackpool, Bradford City,

Burnley, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic, Clapham Rovers,

Coventry City, Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town,

Leeds United, Notts County, Old Carthusians, Oxford University,

Royal Engineers, Southampton, Wimbledon

(Editing by Neil Maidment; to query or comment on this story

email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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England fans need not worry about Rooney, say United bosses

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 10 (ANI): England”s fans should not worry over the fitness of star striker Wayne Rooney.

The 34-goal striker walked off 13 minutes from the end of United”s 4-0 win over Stoke at Old Trafford after suffering a recurrence of the groin problem has troubled him since the second leg of his side”s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich last month.

Mike Phelan, a Man U official, said Rooney will be fit enough to do himself justice in South Africa.

“He should be okay. All the phone calls and all the worries we can dispel straight away. He should be fine. It is just a precaution and he will be looking forward to his World Cup,” The Mirror quoted Phelan, as saying. (ANI)

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Key moments in this season’s Premier League title race

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Key moments in the 2009/10 Premier League season:

Nov 8 2009 – Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

United are by far the better team in the first head-to-head of the season but Chelsea snatch the win with a 76th-minute John Terry header to end the day five points clear and with their belief boosted that they can foil United’s bid for an unprecedented fourth successive title.

—–

January – Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi and Salomon Kalou depart for the African Nations Cup and everyone waits to see how Chelsea will cope without them.

In their absence Chelsea win five out of five in league and cup, scoring 19 goals in the process. Manager Carlo Ancelotti realises that with Nicolas Anelka playing as a lone front man his midfielders get into the box more than when Drogba was on duty, giving him a tactical option which he uses to good effect later in the season.

—-

March 21. Days after being knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan a tame-looking Chelsea are held to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers to fall four points behind United.

Ancelotti, his staff and the players subsequently get together for a “clear-the-air meeting” and all emerge re-energised for the assault on the Premier League. Without the annual distraction of the Champions League the next two games produce 5-0 and 7-1 wins and a new desire for domestic success.

—-

March 30. Wayne Rooney twists his ankle in the final moments of United’s Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat at Bayern Munich.

Days later the England striker, whose amazing season had spearheaded United’s challenge on all fronts, watches from the stands as Chelsea win 2-1 at Old Trafford and also misses the costly goalless draw with Blackburn where Dimitar Berbatov fails to rise to the occasion in his place.

Rooney limps through the remainder of the season but looks semi-fit and fails to score again.

—-

April 25. Having been outplayed by Spurs in a 2-1 defeat the previous week and seen United move back to the top of the table, Chelsea roar back past them for good with one of their most impressive performances in years.

Their 7-0 demolition of Stoke City is their record top-flight win and could easily have produced double figures.

—–

May 2 – Chelsea are struggling to make any impact at Anfield where they know they have to win when a stray Steven Gerrard backpass gifts Drogba the opening goal.

Liverpool are deflated, Chelsea take command and finish it off with a second by Frank Lampard to leave them needing just a home win over Wigan to take the title.

—-

May 9 – Chelsea secure the title in magnificent fashion by destroying 10-man Wigan Athletic 8-0 in a party atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba netted a hat-trick to finish top of the Premier League scoring charts with 29 goals as Carlo Ancelotti’s rampant side edged an intriguing title race by point from Manchester United, who beat Stoke City 4-0 on the final day.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Manchester United will be back, says Ferguson

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Manchester United will bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on an unprecedented fourth successive league title, manager Akex Ferguson said on Sunday.

United eased to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Stoke City on the final day of the Premier League campaign but missed out on the title by a point following Chelsea’s 8-0 drubbing of Wigan AtHletic.

“Of course we’ll come back next year,” Ferguson told reporters. “It is what Manchester United do.

“We’re going to try and bring the title back to the best place in the world.”

Ferguson was full of praise for Chelsea’s efforts under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“The title winners deserve it,” added Ferguson, who has won the Premier League 11 times in 18 seasons.

“It’s the hardest league in the world. To Carlo, I congratulate him.”

Ferguson said he was not concerned by the situation at Old Trafford.

“It is a good structure we have in place here,” he said. “We have worked very hard over the course of the season and we will assess everything over the summer.”

Ferguson thanked the United fans for their magnificent support.

“It has been something of a roller coaster but then it usually is and while we can look back with regret at the outcome of certain games — losing twice to Chelsea certainly ranks as a huge disappointment — there have also been some outstanding achievements and thrilling matches,” he said.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Rooney aggravates groin injury, Ferguson optimistic

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Wayne Rooney suffered a fresh injury scare as Manchester United’s title hopes were dashed on Sunday, the striker aggravating a groin injury which will have England coach Fabio Capello edgily awaiting details.

Rooney looked in discomfort when he was replaced after 75 minutes of the 4-0 rout of Stoke at Old Trafford, and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said it was a recurrence of a groin problem.

Chelsea’s 8-0 win over Wigan meant United’s hopes of a record 19th league title were over. Capello is due to name his provisional 30-man World Cup squad on Tuesday.

“Wayne’s aggravated his groin again,” Ferguson told reporters. “I think he’ll be okay for England though. I don’t think it is serious.

Rooney, 24, finished the season with 34 goals for United, including 26 in the Premier League. He missed several crucial games for United last month after suffering an ankle injury.

(Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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‘Unfancied’ Wigan can halt Chelsea’s title charge: Ferdinand

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): Manchester United’s ace defender Rio Ferdinand has tried to increase pressure on table toppers Chelsea by saying that Wigan can halt the Blues’ Premier League title charge at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The England defender hopes to play some part against Stoke as he returns from groin and back problems.

“It’s been an exciting season. More so-called lesser teams on paper have been taking points off the top four,” The Sun quoted Ferdinand, as saying.

“In previous seasons it’s been a case of the big teams beating all the others and then dropping points against each other. It’s been a weird season. Hopefully that’ll bode well for Chelsea’s game,” he said.

Ferdinand’s team-mate Edwin van der Sar said it will be strange going into the final game with their fate out of their hands after being champions for the past three years.

He knows that the mood at Old Trafford could change very quickly if they hear some positive news from Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“It is very strange. In the last three years we have been in command. Now we have to wait. It is going to be difficult. We have lost a lot of games this year but we are still in there. Hopefully Wigan will go for it on Sunday and we will hear some positive news,” Van der Sar said. (ANI)

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Rooney mansion in care of Gurkha guard

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): Wayne Rooney is leaving his 4.5 million pound mansion under the vigilant eye of a Gurkha as he heads for the World Cup 2010.

Gurkhas are a Nepalese warrior clan known for being lethal and deftly eviscerating enemies with their Khukri or dagger.

An Old Trafford source told The Sun, “The Gurkhas have a formidable reputation. We”ve been told this guy was military decorated. You wouldn”t want to cross him.”

The security man has been provided his own living quarters at the defender’s house and keeps a watch over both the player’s homes in Prestbury, Cheshire.

A string of robberies at the homes of absent Premier League stars where their kin were intimidated led to the hiring of the Gurkha guard.

Victims include United”s Darren Fletcher, 26, whose fiancee had a knife held to her throat. (ANI)

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Glazers snub 1.5 billion pound bid for Manchester United

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): The US-based Glazer family has reportedly rejected a 1.5 billion bid for Manchester United.

The group of wealthy United fans were understood to be planning a 1.2 billion pound offer for the club this summer.

But news of the Glazers” reluctance to accept a higher offer, believed to be from a Middle East consortium last year, is a massive stumbling block, The Sun reports.

United supporters have shown their discontent for the Glazer regime with their ”green and gold” protests at Old Trafford this season.

Fans are unhappy with the lack on investment in the team, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo”s world record 80-million-pound sale to Real Madrid last year.

Supporters are also worried by the club”s spiralling debts which stand at over 700-million-pounds. (ANI)

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Man U will have only itself to blame for Premier League title loss: Van Der Sar

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 4 (ANI): Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has said that Manchester United will only have themselves to blame if they come up short in this season’s title race.

United trail leaders Chelsea by a point going into the final day of the season, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side clear favourites needing only to beat Wigan at home to be champions.

“You hope, but you don’t really expect anything,” said the Dutchman.

Van der Sar admitted he and his United team-mates did not expect any favours from Liverpool, with Fergie’s men aiming to outstrip them by claiming a record 19th title.

“I think we expected it,” added Van der Sar.

Van der Sar conceded United, who face Stoke at Old Trafford on Sunday, were not optimistic of Wigan denying Chelsea victory at Stamford Bridge to give them a glimmer of hope.

“You want to grab every little chance there is. You never know in football, of course, but it’s going to be hard, difficult and unlikely. But never mind, we have to make sure we work until the end. It would have been nice if we were a point ahead,” he said. (ANI)

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Bielsa, Reggaeton beats inspire Chile – Tello

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Young players from the streets, inspirational coach Marcelo Bielsa and Reggaeton music blaring loudly in the team bus have invigorated Chile, who are out to impress after a 12-year World Cup absence.

Chile’s squad, which has the youngest average age of all the South American teams, boasts one of the World Cup’s potential stars in 21-year-old forward Alexis Sanchez, midfielder Rodrigo Tello told Reuters.

Sanchez, who plays for Italy’s Udinese, has scored three times in his last four Serie A outings.

“We have a lot of players who have a lot of hunger, they want to play like they did in the street before, at home,” said Tello, whose name reverberated around Europe in November when his goal secured Turkey’s Besiktas a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford which ended the Premier League side’s 23-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League stretching back to 2005.

“They like putting on Reggaeton music in the team bus,” he added with a wry smile, referring to a blend of Reggae, Latin music and Spanish-language rap.

At 30 and a family man, he is one of the veterans in the squad having won a bronze medal with Chile at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“We have a very young team and we are working with a new coach who has changed our mentality. We had a very tough qualifying and now all the Chilean people expect a lot from us.”

Bielsa coached his native Argentina between 1998 and 2004.

“He is very professional. He is a big name who changed everything for Chile and we get very good instructions from him,” said Tello.

Chile face Spain, Switzerland and Honduras in Group H and will play Honduras first on June 16 in Nelspruit.

“Spain are favourites to win the group, so we will fight for the second place so we can get to the next round.”

Chile stand at 15 in the FIFA world rankings, well ahead of Switzerland at 26 and Honduras in 40th spot. Tello thinks they could go as far as the quarter-finals.

The South Americans have appeared in seven World Cup finals, achieving their best performance — third place — when they hosted the tournament in 1962.

In France in 1998 they came second in their group but lost 4-1 to Brazil in the last 16.

“Chile does not have a lot of history in the World Cup but now we will wait and see,” said Tello.

“Now people are saying that Chile could be surprise, we have a lot of expectations for a very good World Cup.”

(Editing by Justin Palmer

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Manchester United set for 25 million pound swoop for Croat ace Modric

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 29(ANI): Manchester United is set to make a 25 million pound bid for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric during the summer transfer target.

According to reports, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge admirer of Croat midfielder Modric and views him as a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes.

Ferguson was even full of praise for the 24-year-old in his programme notes ahead of their 3-1 home win against Spurs on Saturday.

“And I give you another wee man who’ll be at Old Trafford this afternoon: Luka Modric, who is playing out of his skin at the moment,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as having written on his note.

Modric joined Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb two years ago on a six-year contract for a transfer fee of 16.5 million pounds.

A broken leg in August last year disrupted his season, but since returning to the side in December he has been pivotal in Tottenham’s push for Champions League qualification. (ANI)

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Ronaldo hints at Real Madrid exit

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Madrid, Apr 29(ANI): Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he is planning a future away from the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo, who moved to Madrid from Manchester United for a world-record transfer fee of 80 million pounds last summer, insists he will not spend the rest of his career with the club.

“Football is all about cycles. I believe that you are in teams for cycles. I spent several years wanting to play in Madrid, but I don’t see myself here at 40,” The Daily Express quoted Ronaldo, as saying.

His comment surprisingly comes weeks after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that Ronaldo could make a sensational return to Old Trafford.

Talking about his decision to leave United, Ronaldo said: “Alex Ferguson understood my decision. I continue to talk to him.”

The 25-year-old also expressed disappointment over the prospect of ending the season without any silverware.

“It would be a bad year if we don’t win the league because a club like this has to always win something every year,” Ronaldo said.

“Not winning this year wouldn’t be a failure, but it would be a lost year. But I am confident we can win the league,” he added. (ANI)

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Bleeding Olic shows his worth to treble chasing Bayern

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben usually carry Bayern Munich’s attacking threat but the German side can now add the energetic Ivica Olic to their list of potential match-winners.

The Croatia striker scored a hat-trick as Bayern thrashed Olympique Lyon 3-0 away on Tuesday to book a place in next month’s Champions League final 4-0 on aggregate.

Olic, who became only the second player to net a hat-trick in a Champions League semi-final after Alessandro Del Piero’s treble for Juventus against Monaco in 1998, pointed at his bleeding head after netting the third with a header despite a deep gash.

“I didn’t want to be substituted because I had the feeling I could score another couple,” he told reporters after he took his tally to seven goals in the Champions League this season, just one behind top scorer Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Bayern will play either Barcelona or Inter Milan at Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium in the final on May 22.

“The first goal was the most important because then they had to score three goals to get further and that’s not very easy,” Olic said.

“Then I just did the second and the third, you can’t get better than that. It was a dream,” said Olic, looking a bit astonished by his hat-trick.

The 30-year-old striker, who joined Bayern on a free transfer from Hamburg SV, has already scored important goals in his first season with the four-times European champions.

He netted Bayern’s first at Old Trafford to spark the German’s comeback after they trailed 3-0 against Manchester United in the previous round.

“Scoring three goals in such a game is outstanding… I thought the game against Manchester United was the match of my life but this one was even better, the team made it easy for me,” he said.

His coach and team mates were full of praise for his fighting spirit.

“He scored three but his discipline was also fantastic tonight. We know we can always count on him,” coach Louis van Gaal told reporters.

Former Real Madrid and Chelsea winger Robben praised Olic’s performance.

“He’s unbelievable”, the Dutch winger said. “What I like about him is that he always gives more than 100 percent in every game.

“He keeps running and sometime you have to stop him. He’s so energetic, a great player and very important for us,” Robben added.

(Additional reporting by Clotaire Achi and Anna McIntosh; Editing by. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Rooney bags Professional Footballers’ Association’s Player of the Year award

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 26 (ANI): England’s ace striker Wayne Rooney has been voted player of the year by his peers in the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Rooney, who has scored 34 goals this season, beat off competition from Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Manchester City forward Carlos Tévez.

“It’s a great feeling to win because it”s voted for by the players. It’s a great honour and I’m really proud,” Rooney, 24, said.

Aston Villa’s James Milner won the young player of the year award.

Rooney has improved his game tremendously at Old Trafford this season after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

The 24 year-old was anxious to pay credit to Ferguson’s role in his development and backed the Scot to continue in charge at Old Trafford for many seasons to come, The Telegraph reports.

“Sir Alex has really brought me on as a player since I joined United. His hunger passes through to the players. It’s great to see that he’s pushing 70 and hasn’t changed a bit. I’m sure he’ll be here for a long time yet,” he said. (ANI)

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Ferguson wants Moyes to succeed him at Man U

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 21 (ANI): Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants Everton boss David Moyes to succeed him at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, 68, is convinced that Moyes can provide the continuity that United craves for to keep them challenging for top honours.

Jose Mourinho, however, is the bookies favourite and enjoys a close relationship with Ferguson from his time as coach with Chelsea.

But the United hierarchy, including the influential Sir Bobby Charlton, are not convinced, The Sun reports.

Ferguson knows fellow Glaswegian Moyes, 46, well and has constantly championed his achievements at Preston, and now Everton.

He also believes it is right to give a good British manager the chance to take one of the big jobs in England football. (ANI)

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Don’t rely on Liverpool for title favour, Neville warns Man U

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 20 (ANI): Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has warned his team-mates not to rely on their ace rival Liverpool, who play table toppers Chelsea at home, to do them a Premier League title favour.

Liverpool, United’s most hated rivals appear to hold the key to their bid for a record 19th league championship.

Chelsea is expected to win their two remaining home matches, against Stoke this Sunday and Wigan on the final day, but it is their journey to Anfield on May 2 which will give United hope, even though Liverpool’s leading scorer Fernando Torres will be missing.

Neville is wary of the dangers of praying for a Chelsea slip-up and then failing to do their own job, especially with in-form Tottenham arriving at Old Trafford on Saturday, The Daily Express reports.

“The fundamental thing we have to focus on is winning our remaining three games rather than concerning ourselves with other teams. Too many times this season we haven’t done our job when we have been thinking about possible scenarios in the league table,” he said.

“We have to get those points on the board because it doesn’t matter what Chelsea do if we don’t win our games. People probably thought the championship would have been decided by us dropping points at Manchester City and Chelsea winning at Tottenham, but that wasn’t the case.

“Obviously, we would prefer to be in Chelsea’s position because they are ahead, but we know if we win our three remaining games and Chelsea slip up again, the title will be ours. We were hoping there would be twists and turns – and we hope there are more,” Neville added. (ANI)

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United in search of double derby delight

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Manchester United head into a hugely-anticipated derby away to Manchester City at Eastlands on Saturday hoping to maintain its Premier League title chances and deal a blow to its rivals’ Champions League hopes.

English champions United are four points behind leaders Chelsea with four games remaining, while fourth-placed City are a point above Tottenham, which still has to travel to Eastlands in what promises to be a close-run race for the final Champions League place on offer to English clubs.

City were beaten 4-3 by United at Old Trafford in the previous Premier League fixture between the Manchester clubs while United also defeated their local rivals in a titanic League Cup semi-final at the start of the year.

United are hoping England striker Wayne Rooney can recover from his latest ankle problem in order to feature at Eastlands.

With former United player Carlos Tevez in free-scoring form for City and both sides needing victory for different reasons, there is more riding on the game than many a Manchester derby.

United were on course for a double a fortnight ago but were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, lost to Chelsea and drew at Blackburn in the league.

But Old Trafford veteran Ryan Giggs insists that there is still plenty for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who have already won the League Cup this season, to play for this weekend.

“We’ve just got to keep going,” said the Welsh winger. “It’s been a bad 10 days or so for us.

“Results haven’t gone our way and neither has the luck, and you need both of those things to go in your favour at this time of the season.

“We’ve just got to bounce back from the disappointment of the last couple of weeks and we’re definitely not going to give up. We’re going to keep fighting until the end.

“There are still a few games left and hopefully Chelsea will slip up so we can capitalise.”

Wes Brown, Anderson and Michael Owen are all still injured for United and Owen Hargreaves is unlikely to feature this season despite recovering from a knee injury.

Roberto Mancini’s team have their own injury concerns with Joleon Lescott still struggling with a hamstring problem, Wayne Bridge out with a groin strain and Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov both doubtful.

City’s Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz thinks matches between the Manchester rivals could become increasingly important as the years go by and could even rival Milan derbies in the future.

“It will get to the same level as we are getting better and the team is going to build up a history in terms of being as good as United have been in the past.

“And the better we do, the more interesting the derby becomes.

“They have that in places like Milan, where they have two top teams in one city, and it is going to be like that in Manchester in the future.”

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