Tevez says sorry – advantage Fergie

Ooh, Fergie’s gonna have be chuckling away to himself at this one. When in doubt, don’t bring in/back a hothead striker who may screw things up for you.

Tevez: The Lying King

Kevin Keegan knows that. I know that. You know that. The fact that Carlos Tevez has said sorry because he’s been fined about £16.2 million shouldn’t change that.

Maybe Mancini will keep him on the bench for the rest of the season and throw him a bone (sorry) in games they’re winning comfortably. But this is all going to give Fergie the chance to say, well, I wouldn’t have done it…wonder what the boy Dzeko makes of it sitting on the bench…won’t be long before he’s managing the club…etc etc.

Not sure it’s the right move. Quality player. But Aguero is a similar, better quality player. Tevez may settle back in and if he were to say, shoot Man City to the win over Utd in the league, it will be a masterstroke. But I don’t like it. Tevez has been on strike because he didn’t fancy coming on in a game/ the way the manager spoke to him.

That’s not good enough.

Here’s what he said: “I wish to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to everybody I have let down and to whom my actions over the last few months have caused offence. My wish is to concentrate on playing football for Manchester City Football Club.”

Well, someone said it on his behalf is what I meant there. He still doesn’t speak English does he? I mean give the guy a chance, he’s only been in England six years.

Am I being too hard on him? I don’t think so. Even if he’d come back, tail between the legs and apologised two weeks ago you might think there was contrition there and he’d learned some sort of lesson. But he criticised his manager in an interview instead. Just before returning?

This isn’t contrition. This is greed/boredom/building up for his customary summer pining for anywhere but England. Sooner he’s gone the better.

I (don’t) wanna hold your hand.

Everyone from Liverpool has apologised in what appears to be the first move by the US owners to put this sorry Suarez issue to bed.

Suarez. A bit mental.

The apologies came after another weekend in which the media has gone to town on Liverpool. Jonathan Norcroft’s comments in The Sunday Times are phenomenal. The Liverpool fans who accuse media, the FA – and anyone else who condemns Suarez  - of bias are a joke, but some of the comments again this weekend will only fan the flames.

Norcroft: “Ah Suarez, South America’s greatest charmer since General Pinochet.” And: “Evra helped nobody with a post-match celebration that took him close to Suarez but it was hardly the same as racial abuse.”

Hmmm. A missed handshake is hardly worth mentioning in the same sentence as a mass torturer and killer. And Evra’s match celebration took him close to Suarez? The celebration was as obvious an attempt to gauge a reaction from Suarez as the initial incident between the two.

And Ferguson’s comments were also a disgrace. Stating that Suarez could have caused a riot because of a missed handshake? The only way a riot was starting was on the back of Evra’s inflammatory celebrations. And his statement that Suarez should never play for Liverpool again was apalling, coming from a man who has defended actions from Cantona attacking a fan to any of the combined incidents from players in Saturday’s lineup from Giggs to Ferdinand to Rooney.

There will be no apology from United for any of the above. And you can’t blame them for that. Their reputation soars every time Liverpool’s gets damaged each week. Evra was waiting for Suarez’ hand before accepting it. Gamesmanship that, like Ferguson’s comments, are easy to get away with because Utd’s actions aren’t under scrutiny here. Again, despite Evra being an odious character himself, his own actions will go completely unpunished by club, FA or media.

Evra: "I wanna hold your hand". Suarez: "Nah you're alright thanks Pat"

Suarez is an idiot though. He doesn’t have to like Evra. He’s been slandered across the world by people queuing up to call him a racist due to their spat. He’s missed out on 8 games for his club for something he feels aggrieved about.

But not only did his actions cause further embarrassment for the club, they put Liverpool under more pressure in the game. They were under massive pressure throughout against a riled-up team. Suarez’ own performance was poor and emulated in each Liverpool player.

As for Dalglish, I started to feel a resignation was coming today. He has been badly let down by Suarez saying he would shake Evra’s hand only to refuse to do so. And his comments generally appear ill-informed in the face of the media’s glare.

I feel sympathy for him at the same time. What he is trying to do in turning Liverpool into a fortress is the right thing to do. The club has been a soft touch for too long now and Ferguson is the perfect example of someone who turned his club into an ‘us against the world’ mentality.

Few people like Ferguson. But the fans don’t care. Once Utd win he can continue being a bully, who peddles abuse of officials from the sidelines every weekend. Dalglish is a warmer character, but maybe this weekend he’ll have learned that he needs to emulate Ferguson’s ability to ensure he knows everything going on about every issue within the club.

When Geoff Shreeves mentioned the handshake I think Dalglish betrayed genuine surprise. He glances to his left, potentially at a club official, and goes straight onto the defensive. Ferguson would have had his words planned beforehand.

However the apology below, along with that of Ayre and Suarez will hopefully be the end of this. However the initial reaction on Twitter from journos was that ‘it should’ve been done with ages ago’ and ‘too little-too late’. Don’t expect this saga to end till one, or both, of Suarez and Dalglish departs the club.

Dalglish: “To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do. But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”

Booing Evra (Let’s all calm down)

The unfortunate thing about racism being a dominant theme in the media at the moment means that more and more incidents are set to occur like the man arrested for apparently making monkey chants at Evra on Saturday.

If he did, he’s an idiot. But the fact that he’s so focused on an opposition player (or fan) when everyone around him is focused on football, is indicative of an idiot regardless.

People who relish the abuse between fans more than a cup game with their biggest rivals are a strange breed who shouldn’t be allowed to tar all football fans with the ‘racist’ tag that’s being thrown about at the moment.

Liverpool fans 'abuse' Evra (Pic: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian)

But the criticism of booing (by people including PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor) is a joke. Liverpool fans aren’t booing Evra because they’re racist. They’re booing him because he plays for a team they hate and not only did the murky racist affair end with their star player being banned, but last time Evra was at Anfield he was kissing his badge, blowing kisses at the crowd and feigning injury (all shown in the video below) and waving imaginary yellow cards (for a dive by Downing which should also have been a booking).

Evra led the French team on a strike on what should be the world’s greatest stage, the World Cup. He regularly makes comments about ex-teammates and opposition clubs (as is his right). Evra shouldn’t be vilified for the colour of his skin but as an opposition player, booing is surely fair game.

And the ‘abuse’ Evra suffered at Anfield is the same ‘abuse’ Gerrard gets taking a corner at Old Trafford and the same ‘abuse’ Suarez will suffer in every ground from now on.

Let’s not kid ourselves here that Evra is a victim, full stop, and that booing him is a ‘disgrace’ as so many rent-a-pundits opined over the weekend. Evra’s no angel and he had his part to play in the racism incident. Both by starting it by insulting Suarez, and then complaining that Suarez called him a n*****. He didn’t.

And before I start getting abuse of my own – Suarez deserved his ban. Primarily for referring to Evra’s skin colour, but also because he blatantly lied to the FA’s commission. To say he patted Evra on the head and pinched his skin in a ‘conciliatory’ manner, was nonsense. He was trying to wind him up, and he was trying to get Evra to lash out. Both were obvious when watching the game. Had he said to the commission, “I was trying to wind him up, the same way he tried to wind me up by insulting my sister”, he would have been a reliable and accurate witness. The rest was a farce.

For the Anfield crowd to call Evra a liar doesn’t seem to me to be that big a deal. They’re defending their star player who got banned for 8 games for racism by a panel who found he wasn’t racist. Booing is more than acceptable, abuse isn’t. There were the usual stupid chants by both fans according to witnesses on Saturday, but little more when it came to Evra (bar, it seems, the idiot we’ve talked about).

Man Utd fans criticising the supposed ‘abuse’ of their left-back should probably hold their tongues. In less than two weeks  Old Trafford will be the venue for Suarez v Evra and I fully expect around 60,000 fans to be booing the Uruguayan. With justifiable cause. And presumably calling him a racist. With less justifiable cause.

Ferguson interview on Rooney

Alex Ferguson revealed the news about Rooney on, surprise, surprise, MUTV this morning.

Rooney agrees new five-year deal at Manchester United

Well, well, well. What a load of nonsense. Just 36 hours after saying his club could no longer compete for the best players, Wayne Rooney has agreed a new five-year deal at Old Trafford. Alex Ferguson said he is delighted that Rooney realised “what a great club Manchester United really is.”

 

Happy Families: Ferguson and Rooney

 

Or else he’s been offered a huge amount of money and his ‘advisors’  have secured him a great deal. Or else (as a friend speculated days ago) this was all a delicate ruse concocted by Ferguson to get the Glazers to stump up more cash. Unlikely, but then again Ferguson is the closest thing one can get in football to an evil genius.

The fans’ reaction has already started turning. He was being vilified by most fans yesterday, but those calling him a money-grabber and over-rated have already begun to turn. How those who held up fans calling him a “whore” and threatening to kill him should he move to Manchester City react remains to be seen.

Rooney has said he will have to win back fans with his performances on the pitch. The rate of his salary has not been disclosed and will make for interesting reading. What is clear, however, is that there are bridges to be built between Rooney and the club now after a tumultuous 48 hours.

Rooney statement Wednesday: “I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract. I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it. It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract.

During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world. I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

“For me its all about winning trophies – as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified. Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18. For Manchester United’s sake I wish he could go on forever because he’s a one off and a genius.“

Rooney statement Friday: ‘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.’

Meanwhile the club says Rooney will be ruled out for three weeks with his current ankle injury. This means missing games against Stoke, Wolves (Carling Cup), Tottenham, Bursaspor and Wolves (Premiership). The following game, on Wednesday, November 10 is the Manchester derby against bitter rivals and the team with whom he had reportedly agreed a deal, Man City. Expect Rooney to line out for the reds on the day, if not before.

Ian Holloway rant at Rooney

Not a lot needs to be said as an introduction to this.
The best thing about Premiership football right now is Ian Holloway. We salute you sir. Absolutely spot on.

Ferguson confirms: Rooney wants out of Old Trafford

 

Rooney first said he was leaving on August 14

 

In a statement to assembled media this afternoon, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed the news that will have the club’s fans up in arms, Wayne Rooney wants to leave.

In a broadcast on the club’s TV channel MUTV, Ferguson revealed the shock news that Rooney first told club officials that he was leaving on August 14 of this year. This will lead to  greater belief that the player does genuinely mean to quit the club, as he made the initial statement two months ago before prostitutes and ankle injuries turned his world into a soap opera.

 

Rooney receiving treatment for 'that' ankle in training

 

While Ferguson refused to answer questions on the subject, he issued a full statement where he confirmed that Rooney’s agent has informed chief executive David Gill that the player wants to leave. Ferguson also revealed that Rooney will miss Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Bursaspor on Wednesday with an ankle injury. It is believed the injury is genuine after Rooney left training earlier in the day with the problem.

The manager went on to say that he was shocked at the news, and felt that the club had always looked after Rooney through his personal problems. He refuted allegations that the pair had argued and were not speaking and said he would be leaving the door open to the player to stay due to his talent.

Via The Guardian: Ferguson says he was disappointed that Rooney said what he said in the mixed zone following the England v Montenegro game. “A scan showed he had a minor injury. He adds that United “have to keep the door open because he is such a good player”. He adds: “We have done nothing but help him since he came to this club, that is why this is such a mystery to us. We’ve helped him with his private life and other matters … so we’re as bemused as anyone can be because we can’t understand why he would want to leave a club that is successful as we are in British football.”

The focus after an exceptional piece of media management by Alex Ferguson, will be on the player and the intriguing prospect of Man Utd fans turning on their hero. Rooney will not play on Wednesday but could line out this weekend away at Stoke. If he fails to play there, Wolves await in the Carling Cup on Tuesday followed by the most likely fixture, a home clash with Spurs on the Saturday.

Ferguson said: “We are as bemused as anyone can be, we can’t quite understand why he would want to leave. I was in the office on 14 August and David phoned me to say he (Rooney) wasn’t signing a contract,” Ferguson added. “I was dumbfounded. Only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world. I asked to have a meeting with the boy. He reiterated what his agent said, that he wanted to go.”

Journalists at the press conference said they had rarely seen Ferguson so willing to let down his guard and that he seemed genuinely upset at what has happened.

Daniel Taylor of The Guardian said: “Rarely seen Fergie so impassioned, so willing to bare his soul, in public – he is extremely let down.” Phil McNulty of the BBC said: “Ferguson impressive there. Pretty full disclosure. Door open but hard to see any way back for Rooney. Man Utd fans will be unforgiving” while Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph added: “Brilliant by Fergie. Huge pressure on Rooney now. Its a recession and he’s asking huge sums + #MUFC looked after him when off-field problems.”

Talk will now turn to the fans and whether Rooney will respond under huge pressure. Ferguson has in many ways left the star out to dry and in one press conference stamped his authority back on the club. Rooney will now be under pressure to explain himself and win over the fans who have supported him for years and idolised him as the latest Manchester United legend.

To watch the press conference, go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/9107091.stm

Wayne Rooney set to leave Man Utd after Ferguson bust-up?

Details have been made public today about a reported feud between Wayne Rooney and Alex Ferguson which could lead to the star being sold in January.

 

Rooney was left on the bench on Saturday against West Brom

 

The Sunday Mirror today broke a story claiming that Rooney has told club officials he will not agree a new deal with the club. Rooney’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2011.

All British newspapers are reporting the story on Monday, claiming that Ferguson dropped Rooney for last month’s game with Everton due to his “disgust” at revelations that the forward had slept with prostitutes while his wife was pregnant with their child. Rooney is said to have been furious at the treatment and the pair are alleged to have not spoken for weeks.

If true, it brings and end to another disappointing weekend for the Manchester club as their city rivals overtook them after United let a two-goal lead slip at home to newly promoted West Brom. Carlos Tevez, who was allowed to leave United due to a contract dispute, was again the hero with a two-goal display for Man City in a 3-2 win over Blackpool.

Man United have looked a shadow of their former selves since Rooney’s revelations broke in the English tabloids, dropping points at Everton, Sunderland and now home to newly promoted West Brom.

Chief executive David Gill had assured fans during the summer that Rooney’s contract would be resolved shortly, but it now looks as though negotiations have broken down. Could Rooney be making a play in a bid to get a better offer from the club, as many believe Roy Keane did when he flirted with Juventus before committing to the club years ago?

In all probability, it seems unlikely. United would surely be offering Rooney phenomenal wages in a bid to keep their star. He was being offered a reported £160,000 per week, a salary few clubs could afford worldwide. Rooney has also never professed a desire to move abroad like former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo did before his record-breaking move to Real Madrid.

Having played 90 minutes for England against Montenegro on Tuesday, Rooney told reporters there was nothing wrong with his ankle, in clear defiance of Ferguson’s statements that it had prevented him from playing games for United this year. Instead, Rooney claimed, he was surprised at the lack of game time he needed to get fully fit.

Whether the rumours of a breakdown in their relationship are true or not, Rooney will have angered Ferguson with his carefully chosen words to reporters during the week. Much has been made of Ferguson parting company with the likes of Beckham, Keane and Stam when they have crossed the manager. But in those days Ferguson had ready-made replacements. Today he does not.

Losing Rooney would be a travesty for a side that is already looking weaker than in any time since they first won the Premiership nearly 20 years ago. Fans will worry that selling Rooney could mean money to pay off mounting debt accumulated by the owners. However even if Ferguson were given money to spend (assuming Rooney were sold) who would he buy? Rooney is a genuine world-class English player. There are few out there that could replace the man who was unstoppable last year.

Messi won’t leave Barcelona. Ronaldo has already left Manchester. Even Sneijder wouldn’t have the overall impact or subscribe to the Manchester United ethos the way Rooney has.

We wait with bated breath to see the reaction from Old Trafford. The club already issued a statement today claiming suggestions of a January move were “nonsense.” However banning reporters from asking about Rooney after Saturday’s game has spectacularly backfired. With a Champions League tie coming up we will know soon enough where Rooney figures in United and Alex Ferguson’s plans.

Five things we learned from Man Utd V Liverpool

1. Alex Ferguson was very, very worried.
   For all his post-match talk of Utd threatening to score ten, the facts are these. United managed five shots on target. Three of them went in. To beat Pepe Reina you have to do something a bit special, and Berbatov executed his three goals brilliantly. The truth is Liverpool looked comfortable for long periods of the game. Wayne Rooney was anonymous throughout and while Liverpool didn’t offer anything going forward, the sole point Ferguson made that bears any credence, they scored two goals easily and Meireles could have even made it 3-2 had he managed to make proper contact with his header minutes after Gerrard’s free-kick.
   

   Berbatov had a red-letter day for United

2. Torres did try and get O’Shea sent off, but the real theatrics came from Nani.
   Ferguson claimed after the game that Torres tried to cheat the referee into awarding a red card to John O’Shea. This is true, Torres clearly remonstrates with Howard Webb after the award of a yellow card as if to say it was the wrong decision. It wasn’t. Torres couldn’t get to the ball, was not denied a goalscoring chance, but it was a yellow card and a free-kick. That Gerrard scored made it even better that O’Shea hadn’t been sent off as we had an enthralling encounter on our hands.
   However the real theatrics came from Nani, something Ferguson failed to refer to after the game. The Portugese attempted one outrageous dive for which he had to be pulled away from a seething Daniel Agger. The game had to be stopped for another similar dive which Nani attempted to turn Konchesky’s challenge into some form of assault charge. Nani’s two crosses against Everton were perfect, but he’s a player no-one will miss when he starts hankering after a move abroad. As for trying to get a player sent off, perhaps Ferguson’s forgotten his berating of the officials for failing to give Nani a free-kick for a nothing challenge?
3. Liverpool’s have had a tough start with the fixture list, but things won’t get much easier.
   Ok Northampton on Wednesday in the Carling Cup isn’t a bad way to get your mind  off a defeat at Old Trafford. But after that the fixture list looks easier, but not easy when you look at the lack of service Fernando Torres is receiving. Sunderland and Blackpool at home are winnable games, but Everton away is a tricky ask of any team and Liverpool’s performances will be put under a media microscope until they start winning again. Games against Blackburn and Bolton then beckon before Chelsea arrive on Merseyside.
4. Ferguson and Hodgson may not be such good friends after all.
   Roy Hodgson fielded several questions about his friendship with Ferguson in the run-up to the game as supporters struggled to get to grips with the fact that not only is Hodgson a cockney, but a Ferguson buddy to boot. The friendship may be on the rocks this morning. Ferguson’s post-match analysis that Torres cheated, Liverpool offered nothing going forward, United could have been ten up before the penalty, all pointed to a man who is worried about his own team and feared a fourth draw in succession.
   Liverpool had 50% possession and looked reasonably comfortable with the ball. United had the right formation though and while Cole and Meireles looked good going forward, there was little end product.

   

5. United need Wayne Rooney to return to his best, fast.
   Rooney struggled to do anything of note yesterday. Michael Owen must have been watching from the bench wondering did Ferguson just play a really cruel joke in signing him to irritate his rivals. Berbatov is in great form and finished his three goals with incredible precision. However the Bulgarian blows hot and cold. Ferguson is doing his best to boost the striker’s confidence but he has gone missing in games already this season and will do so again.
   Wayne Rooney offers a goal threat from all over the pitch but looked as though he was happier offering the responsibility to his teammates yesterday. Eager to pass rather than to shoot, Rooney has had three poor games since the tabloids blew the lid on his indiscretions. Ferguson’s team always have a star man, a Ronaldo, a Cantona, even a Keane to give them a lift when needed.They need Rooney to be back to his best soon or the title will be in London quicker than Ferguson can say boo.

Three talking points from the weekend

1. Man United’s priority is not getting back Wayne Rooney, but sorting out a defence that is lacking in cohesion.
   All the hype surrounding Everton’s remarkable comeback against Man Utd on Saturday focused on the absence of Wayne Rooney. Although it was a surprise and bound to create extra tabloid fodder, that it remained the headline at the end of the game was a disappointment. Both teams deserved more. Everton started superbly and by scoring two goals in injury time did to United what no team has done for almost ten years, cancel out a two-goal deficit with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.
   Both teams attacked with creativity and imagination, the game flowing from end-to-end, but United’s weakness lies in an unsettled defence. Patrice Evra’s wild attempt at a clearance led to the first goal, while Johnny Evans is struggling alongside Vidic at centre back. Neville is no longer a first choice, but Brazilian Rafael appears to have lost favour with Ferguson for the time being.
   

   Johnny Evans is struggling to fill Rio Ferdinand's boots

   However, up front, Berbatov played well, stretching the Everton defence at every opportunity and taking the third goal with the confidence of a 40 goal-a-season striker. Rooney was hardly missed, while Nani delivered two superb crosses for the goals. Unlike the media love-in for Scholes, I didn’t feel he had a great game. Everton restricted his presence going forward by having Cahill and Fellaini as their attackers, both tough-tackling midfielders.

2. Don’t believe everything you read in the media about players’ form or confidence:
   If Fernando Torres wakes up this morning and feels a little harshly treated by the media, well it’s because he’s been a little harshly treated by the media. Football writers around the country sat in stunned silence as Jamie Redknapp lambasted Torres for his first-half performance at half-time in Liverpool’s 0-0 with a superb Birmingham side.
   

   Reina shows off his Safe Hands

   The same writers then took their lead from the Sky pundit as newspapers criticised the man they claim is not right, still unfit, looks like he “doesn’t care” was another oft-repeated quote. This then the same Torres that got the winner against West Brom the previous Liverpool game and got two for Spain the following week, admittedly against Liechtenstein, but the two were good goals and Spain only managed four.
   The same writers were also slamming Pepe Reina after his mistake against Arsenal on the opening day. And they were asking questions as to whether he retained the confidence of his teammates. Well he made some of the best saves you’ll see this season (as he did against Arsenal too by the way) to show that form is exceptionally temporary, class is permanent. Oh and Torres will come up against Vidic next Sunday. If that doesn’t boost his confidence I don’t know what will.

3. The league table is lying.
   Fair enough, Chelsea and Arsenal deserve to be up there. No-one is about to begrudge Blackpool their spot, but the likes of Everton shouldn’t be in this position after four games. Outstanding commitment and skill, Moyes’ men will start climbing the table very quickly with a decent run of games put together. West Ham are another team who deserve better than the zero points they currently have. With some tough games already behind them and a manager whose demeanour doesn’t exactly scream “give me some time because I’m loveable”, it’s been a tough start but the table is all topsy-turvy right now and we are going to boldly predict West Ham will finish in the top ten. Boom. Please keep reading the blog, I regret nothing.