Barcelona have played down mounting speculation linking them with a potential summer move for United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting they have made no approach for the player.
Rumours were fuelled on Tuesday night when his agent Jorge Mendes was seen sat next to Barca's sporting director Txiki Begiristain at the Emirates Stadium as the 22-year-old skippered Portugal to victory over Brazil. However, Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano says there is a simple explanation.
"Jorge Mendes is the agent for many of our players, including Deco, so the meeting doesn't mean anything," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "There has been no approach to the player or Manchester United."
Although Soriano did not irrefutably rule out a future bid for Ronaldo, he did indicate that the Catalan club already possess three creative attacking players.
"In general terms, we do like to sign the best players in the world but we already have Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi in this type of position."
Ronaldo recently pledged his future to United in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine, saying: "I've got a contract at United. If [interested clubs] speak to anyone it's my agent, not me. I told my agent I'm happy here and want to continue."
Ben Foster was understandably delighted after making his England debut at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Although Steve McClaren's side lost 1-0, no blame can be apportioned for Andres Iniesta's wonderful second-half goal.
The highlight of Foster's debut - his first appearance at Old Trafford despite being a United player for almost two years - came in the second half when he palmed away a swerving shot from Spain striker David Villa.
The 23-year-old, currently on loan with Premiership strugglers Watford, was pleased with his performance.
"It was my first appearance at Old Trafford and doing it for England is weird, but I am delighted to do it," he said.
"Playing for Watford week in, week out I will get a bit of practice in the Premier League and I will just look forward to doing as well as I can and if the manager picks me then great. But I am not counting my chickens."
Foster, who is expected to spend next season at Old Trafford, had stated before his England debut: "I'm ambitious and ultimately I want to be England's No.1 and Manchester United's No.1."
He did himself no harm whatsoever in continuing his rapid rise towards those career goals.
Rio Ferdinand will make his 200th United appearance if he lines up for the Reds against Charlton at Old Trafford on Sunday – and Sir Alex Ferguson believes he is one of the most complete defenders in the world.
The 28-year-old defender has been outstanding alongside Nemanja Vidic this season, the pair keeping nine clean sheets in their last 22 matches as a partnership.
“Rio has been fantastic for us this season,” said the boss. “I’ve been delighted with him.”
Ferdinand has missed just one league match all season, starting 24 of United’s 25 Premiership games.
“I have only rested him for one game, against Wigan. But centre-halves can play more games. I don’t think the number of matches will affect him one bit because he is a strong athlete,” added the Reds manager.
“He has always had a fantastic talent, balance and his use of the ball is excellent. His technique is probably the best in the game for a defender. His concentration has improved.”
While United’s attacking play has been lauded as crucial to the Reds’ commanding lead at the top of the Premiership, it is built on solid defensive foundations.
“Rio and Vidic have formed a really good partnership and they can get better because they are young enough,” he said. “We they will be the foundation of the defence for years to come.”
IP卡
狗仔卡
發表於 2007-2-9 08:16:53
VS 
---
---
---
---
---
---
--- 
提升卡
置頂卡
沉默卡
喧囂卡
變色å¡
顯身å¡
&obj=iip,1.0&wid=240&hei=359&rgn=0.24481327800829874,0.12200956937799043,0.4979253112033195,0.8588516746411483&cvt=jpeg
&obj=iip,1.0&wid=480&hei=179&rgn=0.06571936056838366,0.19788918205804748,0.8525754884547069,0.47229551451187335&cvt=jpeg
&obj=iip,1.0&wid=480&hei=179&rgn=0.02702702702702703,0.04230769230769231,0.9266409266409266,0.6884615384615386&cvt=jpeg
發表於 2007-2-9 18:28:02
發表於 2007-2-10 01:19:01
