Published: 16 May 2012 – 06:47:01

Ryan Giggs thinks Gary Neville is an outstanding addition to the England coaching staff and has backed his former Manchester United team-mate to go on and become a top-class manager.

England manager Roy Hodgson sprung a surprise on Monday when he handed Neville a four-year contract as England coach.

The 37-year-old has no experience of coaching at club, let alone international level yet, but Giggs said: \”I’m sure he’ll be a success with England.\”

Neville was often the victim of abuse during his playing career, but the former Manchester United full-back has been a big hit as a Sky Sports pundit since announcing his retirement from football in February 2011.

His tactical acumen and passion has been widely praised during his spell on television, and Giggs continued: \”He’s obviously done well on the TV with his views and his outlook on football and he’s got fresh ideas.

\”He’s played at the top himself, he’s got so many positives and so many things he can bring to the table.

\”I think management will be the next step for him. He knows what the modern day footballer wants and needs, which is important.

\”No matter what he would have done he would have been a success because he’s that sort of person. He’s a force of nature.

\”He’s driven, very ambitious and he’s very good at what he does.

\”I did my coaching badges with him and he was very alert. He’s very switched on and intelligent. And together with that he’s been there and done it.\”

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Published: 16 May 2012 – 06:46:58

Japan international Shinji Kagawa revealed Wednesday that he had met Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, as rumours swirl that the Borussia Dortmund star is eyeing a move to the Premier League.

The midfielder said the Scot, one of football’s most successful managers, had \”good words\” to say about him during two hours of talks in Manchester this week.

Kagawa, who still has a year to run on his contract with the German champions and has stalled over signing an extension with the club, said he wanted to \”think hard\” before deciding where his future lay.

\”It was good that I was able to meet him in person and talk,\” Kagawa told reporters on his return ahead of Japan’s friendly against Azerbaijan.

Ferguson \”had some good words,\” the player added when asked by journalists at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport about the meeting, without disclosing what they discussed.

The 23-year-old scored 17 goals this season in all competitions to help Dortmund secure a second consecutive Bundesliga title and win the domestic double for the first time in their 103-year history.

He has made no secret of his desire to move to England with United tipped as front-runners to sign him.

Ferguson watched Kagawa score in Dortmund’s 5-2 German Cup final win over Bayern Munich at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium Saturday.

\”I want to think hard before making my decision,\” Kagawa said, adding that several other Premier League clubs have also expressed interest in him.

\”I want to choose a team where I can take on challenges,\” he added.

Dortmund are in a position to make a handsome profit by selling Kagawa, who cost the German club just 350,000 euros ($450,000) from Cerezo Osaka in 2010 but is now worth around 13 million euros.

Kagawa thanked Dortmund for allowing him to grow as a player, and said he will miss the thunderous roar of home fans and said coach Jurgen Klopp has told him he will always be welcome at the club.

Other big name clubs, including Chelsea, AC Milan and Arsenal have also been linked to Kagawa, media reports have said.

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 23:16:57

Rio Ferdinand is set to be left out of England’s Euro 2012 squad when it is unveiled by new manager Roy Hodgson on Wednesday.

Hodgson is believed to have spoken to the Manchester United defender on Tuesday and told him he would not be going to Poland and Ukraine this summer. Ferdinand has made no comment on the matter, although it is thought Hodgson’s decision may have been shaped more by concerns over the 33-year-old’s long-standing back problems.

Although he was speaking about the potential for Ferdinand being selected for duty at the Olympics later in the summer, on Friday Sir Alex Ferguson said it was impossible for the former West Ham man to play twice in four days.

As a similarly packed schedule would have to be navigated at the European Championships, it is thought Hodgson has concluded that he cannot take the risk of managing one of his senior players through a tournament of such significance.

The news will come as a blow to Ferdinand, who had declared his intention to make himself available this summer, despite obvious complications over his relationship with long-time central defensive colleague John Terry.

The Chelsea man will face a court case later this year after being charged with making comments of a racist nature to Ferdinand’s brother Anton during the Blues Premier League encounter with QPR at Loftus Road last October. Terry denies the charges.

It is thought Terry will be part of the England squad, along with club colleague Frank Lampard.

Hodgson’s firm decision about Ferdinand appears to signal the end of his 81-cap England career. Ferdinand last featured for his country in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in June 2011, although he was selected for the friendly against Holland the following August which was postponed due to the London riots and it is not the only bold decision Hodgson has taken.

During his extended period as interim manager following Fabio Capello’s dismissal, Stuart Pearce claimed he had put everything into place for the new man to slot into. Now it seems Hodgson was not that impressed.

After shoving the planned squad announcement back to Wednesday for the original unveiling date of May 10, Hodgson has now taken the even more significant decision to scrap next week’s planned training camp in Spain.

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 20:54:08

Leicester City have completed the signings of Manchester United duo Ritchie De Laet and Matty James.

Belgian defender De Laet, 23, and English midfielder James, 20, go to the King Power Stadium on three year contracts as Leicester look to strengthen for next season.

De Laet moved to United from Stoke City in 2009, he has made six appearances in the first team but he has been out on-loan to clubs like Sheffield United, Preston, Portsmouth and Norwich.

James is a former England Under-19 captain, but he never managed to break into the United first team, the season just gone saw him suffering with injury although he did have two spells on loan with Preston before.

Speaking to the club’s official website, manager Nigel Pearson said: \”Ritchie and Matthew are both players we have been monitoring for some time and we are very pleased to be able to bring them both to the club.

\”Both are hungry, young players with winning mentalities, experience of Championship football and a desire to be successful.\”

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 17:17:07

Sir Alex Ferguson was back at his desk early Monday morning plotting how to swing the Premier League balance of power back in Manchester United’s favour, David Gill has revealed.

United thought they had pipped Manchester City to the Barclays Premier League title on Sunday evening after beating Sunderland but a dramatic injury-time winner from Sergio Aguero against QPR broke the Red Devils’ hearts in the most cruel fashion.

\”He didn’t sleep much on Sunday night. None of us did. He was in the office at 7.30 on Monday morning already thinking about next season,\” Gill said at the Premier League 20 Seasons awards in London.

City striker Carlos Tevez rubbed salt in to the wounds on Monday when he brandished a sign saying \”RIP Fergie\” during the club’s open-top bus parade through Manchester.

But while the blue half of the Lancashire city have been celebrating, the red half have been planning how to stop Roberto Mancini’s men from dominating the English top flight for years to come.

Gill said on Monday night that a number of transfer targets had already been shortlisted and the United chief executive reckons Ferguson is keen to bounce back immediately by securing their 20th title next term.

\”We have to get on with it now. We can’t look back and feel sorry for ourselves. We have started planning for next year. We will come back fresh and I am always confident with this manager,\” he added.

City may have won their first title since 1968 on Sunday, but it was United who were honoured for their domination of the top flight

Ferguson was named the best manager in the Premier League’s history after clinching 12 titles during his Old Trafford reign while midfielder Ryan Giggs won the best player category. Time may be catching up with him – Ferguson turns 71 in December – but Gill, who picked up the award on his behalf, insists the Scot has no plans to retire just yet.

\”He has a rolling contract and he delegates, he still has the enthusiasm, and I am sure he will go on for many more years,\” Gill said.

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 13:17:06

Manchester City may have wrestled the title from their grasp, but Manchester United have been awarded two prestigious honours for their dominance of the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson was named the best manager in the Premier League’s 20-year history and Ryan Giggs won the best player award at a ceremony in central London.

Ferguson was not in London and chief executive David Gill picked up the award on his behalf, but Giggs was present to accept his honour – which saw him beat off competition from the likes of Thierry Henry, Paul Scholes and Dennis Bergkamp to clinch the vote from a panel of experts.

The Welshman has made 909 appearances for United and is the most decorated player in the English game, while Ferguson has won 12 Premier League titles since he took over at the club in 1986.

Former Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville said of Giggs: \”Ryan Giggs will go down as the most successful British footballer of all time and I cannot see anyone ever overtaking him.

\”He has surpassed all records in terms of domestic titles and he has incredible desire, quality and spirit. He’s just fantastic to watch every single week.\”

Ferguson pipped Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Harry Redknapp and David Moyes to the manager’s award.

Record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer said of the Scot: \”How he’s achieved what he has done over the past 20 years I think is absolutely incredible, so we all have to stand up, salute, admire and congratulate him.\”

Shearer received an award for the most Premier League goals (260), while David James received a prize for the most Premier League clean sheets (173).

The panel’s elect team of the last 20 seasons was named as: Peter Schmeichel; Gary Neville, Tony Adams, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole; Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer.

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 08:17:04

Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists the club have the cash to compete in the transfer market despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that Manchester City ‘pay stupid money and silly salaries’.

United are aiming to strengthen this summer, with Borussia Dortmund duo Shinji Kagawa and Robert Lewandowski believed to be on his radar. However, it is anticipated Lille’s Edin Hazard will join City ahead of United, just as Samir Nasri ended up at the Etihad Stadium 12 months ago when Ferguson thought he had completed a deal to sign him.

Nevertheless, the Old Trafford outfit are adamant they are not being left behind: \”Funds are available without a doubt,\” Gill told MUTV.

\”We can still pay very well in terms of wages and transfer fees.

\”Clearly City have raised the bar. We have seen that with what they are prepared to pay for players and to them.

\”But we need to move on. Financial Fair Play is just around the corner. It is a flagship programme for Michel Platini and how that is implemented and the sanctions that are imposed are going to be interesting.\”

Typically, Ferguson’s assessment was rather more blunt.

\”We know City are going to spend fortunes, pay stupid money and silly salaries. We know that happens. We can’t do anything about that,\” the Scot told MUTV.

\”We are not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods. We invest in players who will be with the club for a long time, who will create the character of the club and the excitement for our fans. We are good at that and we are going to continue that way.\”

Ferguson and Gill were both speaking at the United Player of the Year awards, which turned into a personal triumph for Antonio Valencia, who won both the players’ and fans’ prize, in addition to the Red Devils’ goal of the season, his effort at Blackburn last month.

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Published: 15 May 2012 – 07:17:02

Sir Alex Ferguson expects next season to be Paul Scholes’s last at Manchester United.

The Red Devils chief confirmed on Monday night that Scholes had agreed a new one-year contract with the Old Trafford outfit. It cements a comeback started in January when the 37-year-old abandoned the retirement he had announced 12 months ago.

However, while Ferguson does not believe it is automatic Scholes will end his career next summer, he does feel the midfielder will only go on for one more year. \”I think this will be Paul’s last season,\” Ferguson told MUTV.

\”We know him very well. We have had him since he was a kid and we know how to use him.

\”But it has been done. He is staying and I am delighted.\”

Scholes has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Euro 2012 squad England manager Roy Hodgson will unveil on Wednesday.

The introduction of Gary Neville on to Hodgson’s coaching team may make that transition process smoother, although, for now, Ferguson’s only concern is what Scholes can do for United.

\”He knew he had made a mistake,\” said the Scot over Scholes’s initial decision to retire.

\”He now realises if he plays 25 or 30 games next season, they will be of real quality.\”

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Published: 14 May 2012 – 22:46:52

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said on Monday he wasn’t concerned by rivals and newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City’s ability to out bid them in the transfer market.

United lost out on successfully defending their title solely on goal difference to City on Sunday when two injury-time goals saw City to a 3-2 win over QPR and their first league crown in 44 years.

However, Ferguson said that he was not going to be forced into a change of transfer policy because of losing out to their city rivals and would stick to investing in young talent while Abu Dhabi-owned City spent huge amounts on established players.

\”We know City are going to spend fortunes, pay stupid money and silly salaries. We know that happens. We can’t do anything about that,\” the 70-year-old told MUTV at the United player of the year dinner.

\”We are not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods. We invest in players who will be with the club for a long time, who will create the character of the club and the excitement for our fans.

\”We are good at that and we are going to continue that way.\”

Ferguson, who is believed to be targeting two stars from Borussia Dortmund’s successful Bundesliga title defence Japanese international Shinji Kagawa and Polish star Robert Lewandowski, said there was no need for a large scale overhaul of his squad.

This despite finishing without a trophy, being knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage and letting an eight point lead over City in early April slip.

\”We have set out our stall for certain players and we want to make sure the evolution continues at United,\” said Ferguson.

\”I have been at the club for 25 years and I have to maintain a certain standard that keeps us there all the time.

\”We don’t always win it because we are always there, which is great credit to how we view things.

\”But there is nothing materially wrong with us. I know there are some critics but we got 89 points.\”

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Published: 14 May 2012 – 21:17:10

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed veteran midfielder Paul Scholes has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United.

After abandoning his retirement in January, there had been some speculation that the 37-year-old was deliberating whether to extend his career by an additional season.

However, speaking at this evening’s Manchester United Player of the Year dinner, Ferguson told MUTV: \”It has been done. He is staying.\”

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