Archive News

A negotiation has been opened with Carlos Tevez in a bid to keep the striker at Manchester. The Argentinan player has found first team opportunities limited this season as the partnership between Rooney and Berbatov has begun to flourish. "I sat down with him only last week to stress that our faith in him is absolute and he remains a top player in the eyes of myself, the supporters and the players. It's just that three players won't fit into two positions and my job is to balance the team. Carlos understands this and I have explained that when the season really hots up we will need everyone," Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told The Guardian.

Lubos Michel has joined Shakhtar Donetsk as head of international competitions department. The 40-year-old Slovakian referee, who retired last week because of injury, refereed the 2008 UEFA Champions League final. Michel said: "The invitation from Donetsk was quite unexpected, but I accepted the offer as I want to stay in football." Lubos Michel was UEFA Champions League official since 1998.

The winger of Manchester United named FIPro (F�d�ration Internationale de Footballeurs Professionels) World Player of the Year for the 2007/08 season. Cristiano Ronaldo received his award in Manchester on Monday. The 23-year-old Portugese international said: "To be recognised by my fellow professional players worldwide, coming from over 50,000 players, is amazing. I would like to thank my team-mates and coaches and everyone involved at Man United and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support. Thank you also to FIFPro for this award and for your work in protecting the interests and welfare of players around the world."

"The player decided to stay in Manchester and we accept it. Manchester decided not to sell Cristiano Ronaldo and we don't want to do anything against a club like Manchester. [...] It is forgotten, not only for January but forever. I have a lot of respect for Manchester United. I have good relationship with David Gill and I want it to be like that for a long time" said Real president Ramon Calderon.

After they outclassed his side 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday Celtic manager Gordon Strachan described Manchester United as the best team he had seen in Europe. "It was one of the best performances I have come accross watching European football. It will take some team to beat them, that's for sure" Strachan told said after the match.

Steaua Bucharest coach Marius Lacatus resigned after his team lost 5-3 to Olympique Lyon in Champions League Group F match. "When a team loses one match after another nobody other than the coach is responsible. It's clear that I lost the support of everybody, officials, supporters and media, so there is no room for me to go on any more" Lacatus told reporters.

Spaniard midfielder Cesc Fabregas reveals approach from an Italian club during this summer. "Yes, it's true. I did have offers from an Italian side" Fabregas told Sport.es. The Arsenal player transfered to London from Barcelona in 2003.

AC Milan has confirmed that David Beckham agreed to move to the Italian club on loan in January. The 33-year-old midfielder plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, but the season ends this weekend. "Beckham wants to train and play with Milan. We want him. He will arrive in January and we will sign him for the rest of the season" Milan vide-president Adriano Galliani told the BBC. "The stadiums will only fill up with superstars like Beckham. With him, Kaka and Ronaldinho, it would be a dream team" he said.

The 32-year-old German midfielder will be out of action for three weeks after foot surgery. Ballack will miss Chelsea's encounter with AS Roma on 22 October. Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "It is not a problem for me if there are one, two or three injuries. It is normal in football. It is not difficult for me. I need to build a different team every week".

Eidur Gudjohnsen suffered a left thigh injury while on international duty with Iceland. FC Barcelona striker will be out of his team's UEFA Champions League trip to FC Basel.

Nicklas Bendtner, William Gallas and Bacary Sagna have all been ruled out of the Gunner's next fixture at Fenerbahce. "Unfortunately we have lost some players over the ten days" said Arsene Wenger who counts the "heavy losses" of the international break.

European football's governing body had ordered Atletico to play their next two matches away from the Vicente Calderon Stadium after crown truble but this decision has been overturned after an appeal by Atletico. UEFA has temporary lifted Atletico Madrid's ban for the Champions League match against Liverpool on 22 October. Atletico hope video evidence will show there were no insults of a racist or xenophobic nature directed at any Marseille player. The Spanish club says its supporters have no prior record of such behaviour and the coach did not hurl insults at any Marseille player.

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba insists he is happy at Stamford Bridge despite admitting he has wanted to leave every year since he joined Chelsea in 2004. Drogba said: "Last year I said I wanted to leave and every season I have said I have wanted to leave but I am still here. This is the club which suits me best". Drogba escaped ligament damage and is now working to get back to action as soon as possible.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be out for about two weeks, the club have confirmed. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "We have Wigan at home and Chelsea away in the league and Atletico Madrid away in the Champions League, so to lose any players is a big blow".

As we reported earlier Atletico Madrid were handed a three-match stadium ban - with a third suspended - for racism incidents against Marseille on their latest Champions League home match.
"We will appeal. I have faith that UEFA will do the right thing. I hope they will listen to both sides evenly" Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told Marca.
Atletico have received support from local rivals Real Madrid over the ban. Real president Ramon Calderon believes Atletico are being unfairly punished for the behaviour of Marseille fans. "It seems unfair to me. The police do not report to Atletico Madrid. Those that caused the problems were the Marseille fans" Calderon made statement.
Enrique Cerezo is optimistic and confident next week's Champions League match with Liverpool will go ahead at the Vicente Calderon, despite the ban.

Sebasti�n Eguren injured during Uruguay's FIFA World Cup qualifying loss to Argentina on Saturday. The 27-year-old midfielder played in both UEFA Champions League Group E outings will be out of action for up to five weeks.

European football's governing body UEFA have ordered Atletico Madrid to play their next two Champions League home matches (against Liverpool on 22 October and PSV Eindhoven on 26 November) at least 300 kilometres outside of Madrid. Punishment follows crowd trouble and racist abuse earlier this month against Marseille. The Spanish team were also fined 150,000 EUR for the improper conduct of supporters and lack of organisation. Atletico have until 17 October to appeal the decision.

"I think that next year it is going to be a little more complicated for his club to retain him. There is a hope that next year he could be with us" Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster told Marca about Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real made the United winger their top target over the summer, but the English team refused to do business and the player eventually chose remain with the Champions League winner. But despite that snub Schuster still believes a deal could be struck in 2009 for Cristiano.

Sunderland Roy Keane has accused the two Champions League participants of signing top youngsters rather than developing their own talent. (Arsenal signed Theo Walcott from Southampton as a 17-year-old and also splashed out on Cardiff's teenage midfielder Aaron Ramsey this close-season, while Cesc Fabregas was poached from Barcelona's youth academy. Chelsea signed Leeds duo Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo.) "The word on the street is they (Arsenal) have a group of kids coming through that will be absolutely outstanding, but you go on about the kids coming through but a lot of them have been bought from other clubs, not through the academy at Arsenal. It's the same with Chelsea" - Keane said.

Real Madrid has not been affected by the global financial crisis, said Jose Angel Sanches, the club's director. "We are in a good economic and financial situation. We are at the head of the world ranking of football clubs in terms of revenues" - he told the Real Madrid Television Station. The Spanish champion posted a net profit of 97 million euros last season, up from 40 million during the 2006/07 season.
The world largest revenue-generating clubs:
1. Real Madrid
2. Manchester United
3. Barcelona
4. Chelsea
5. Arsenal

Go to the Adidas Challenge on the UEFA Training Ground and try to answer three simple questions. Click here.

Real Madrid 24-year-old winger Arjen Robben faces a two week recovering after a left thigh injury during 2-2 draw with Espanyol in the spanish league last Sunday.

The Spanish champion Real Madrid are likely to make a bid for Daniel Agger in the next transfer window in January. "He is a player we have been looking at for a long time. [...] He is a world-class player and without doubt he would fit into our plans. [...] What we need is a defender and a striker, and, at the moment, Agger is on top of our list" - said Real Madrid vice president Jose Angel Sanches about the possibility of buying the Danish international defender.

Inter defender Nelson Rivas suffered a right knee injury and ruled out of action at least 2 months. The Colombian centre-back left the action after 73 minutes during 2-1 win against Bologna in Serie A home game on Saturday.

Anorthosis Famagusta became the first team from Cyprus tasting victory in the group stage of UEFA Champions League (they won on last matchday and made history). "To be honest, I never believed we would be where we are right now" - the Serbian midfielder Dobrasinovic told uefa.com. "The whole experience so far has been a dream for us" - he added. Anorthosis moved level with Internazionale at the top of Group B on four points after a 3-1 win againts Greek Panathinaikos in Nicosia. You can check this in Results page, see the Standings or just download the Full time report of their last match.
(And do not forget that Anorthosis Famagusta was the first Cypriot club to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage so this is their first attempt among the best 32 teams. Very impressive beginning...)

Fletcher and Scholes have signed their contract extensions at Manchester United. (Ended 2012 and 2010.) "When you play at such a great club with a great team you always want to be a part of that" - said the veteran 33-year-old former England international Paul Scholes.

The 29-year-old French international winger will be sidelined for four to eight weeks after picking up a right-ankle injury during 1-1 draw at Bayern M�nchen in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Sidney Govou has been ruled out of their next group stage match against Steaua Bucuresti on 21 October.

The Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba, just returned from knee injury, left the pitch on cruthces after the 0-0 draw at CFR Cluj on Wednesday night. The player will have a scan on Thursday. "It's too early to say how bad he is" - said Luiz Felipe Scolari, the brazilian manager of the London club.

"I'm happy at Barcelona" - Henry told the official website of FC Barcelona. The future of the player has been the subject of speculation earlier as he is unhappy with his currently role in the left-wing because he prefers central positions. The french striker was replaced by Leo Messi against Shakhtar Doneck on Wednesday. Barcelona wins 2-1. Both goals were scored by the argentin boy. However Henry is happy now at the spanish team, it wasn't him who scored the late goals but his substitute was.

Anorthosis and CFR Cluj are still on the track. Here are the details: Champions League Results

 Ronaldo Nominated for two Player of the Year Awards

The superstar of the Manchester United and 23 years-old Cristiano Ronaldo has been nominated for the FIFA World Prize and the prestigious Ballon D'Or; awards that symbolize the Best Player of the World and the Best European Player of the Year, respectively.

There are 29 contenders for the awards but for many coaches and analysts, only three of them are the possible ones that can prevail to win the prestigious honors, and they are Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The three players have won international titles this year, Torres accomplished the EURO 2008 with Spain, Messi won the Beijing Olympics with Argentina and Ronaldo achieved the England title and the UEFA Champions League title with the Manchester United. However, we have to mention that not always the player that wins the awards is someone that has accomplished national and international glory.

Last year, the winner of both prizes was the Brazilian player Kaka, even when it is not common that the same player receives the two awards. Although, Kaka had an awesome year in that occasion and he accomplished great achievements in his game and that is the case of Cristiano Ronaldo this time. Ronaldo scored 42 goals last season and he played at the top of his game; besides his team, the Manchester United, achieved the UEFA Champions League, the greatest title in Europe, and the England Championship. All of this with the undeniable contribution of Ronaldo, and given the situation, why couldn't he be the winner of both prizes as well?

For his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo deserve the two prizes and more. "Ronaldo is just an amazing player and someone who will always score for the team. Cristiano will win both player of the year awards, I am sure of it, If he doesn't, I want to sign the guy who does," expressed Ferguson.

Even though the confidence Ferguson has about Ronaldo receiving the recognitions, on the other hand he has explained that he is really happy with Ronaldo's recovering and playing time since he has already scored 4 times for the team, however, he is thinking of leaving him out his line-up against Celtic on the next game, due to the fact that he still not recovered completely of his ankle surgery and his physical form can be shown after playing two close games. For example, with his national team Portugal, he played an amazing football against Sweden which was a Saturday but then three days later, Portugal faced Albania and Ronaldo seemed to be a little tired and flat.

Therefore, Ferguson concern is that even though Ronaldo had a great game this past Saturday, he doesn't know if Ronaldo could play again at the top of his game on Tuesday. In any case, Ferguson will try to find the solution an hour before the game on Tuesday; he will wait and study how Ronaldo reacts on practice.

With no more to say, we all know the incredible kind of player that Cristiano Ronaldo is. We hope for him to receive these amazing awards and accomplish more in the future. He stills has a great future ahead of him and a lot to learn and we hope the best for this young and talented football player.

Ally White is a top senior copy writer for the UEFA Soccer Games games as well as the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

 Manchester United England

When in England, you're likely to discover that Manchester United is to soccer - football to most of the world outside of the United States - what the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox are to baseball in the United States: Manchester United is England's most popular team and the team to beat. A part of soccer's Premier League, Manchester United is far more than just a team when you're talking with British football fans; they are the team that is out there are playing as hard as possible.

In recent years, it seems as though many fans of football in England have suffered some disappointment and wounded pride when it comes to the way British teams have played on the international circuit; Manchester United has been the one ray of light. For many, when it comes to World Cup Soccer and other major international competitions, many see Manchester United as the most likely to prevail (some backers as supporting Manchester United as likely to win the 2009 Champions League final in Rome).

Manchester United Fans, of course, have divided loyalties even amongst themselves - and in many cases, this comes down to the players on the team who they favor. For some, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best of the team. Others will tell you that, when it comes to First Team players, there is no one more vital to Manchester United's centre-forward Dimitar Berbatov who is not only quite talented within the game but who also has a knack for entertaining the fans in the crowd. Still others line their allegiance behind England's own Wayne Rooney who some believe is Manchester United's best player.

Regardless of which Manchester United player the fans of England turn out to see, there is a simple reality: the fans turn out. Not only do they arrive at the stadiums to see Manchester United play, but also they are members of online message boards, they write blogs and they also support Manchester United players when they are looking into players as they are choosing members of their fantasy league teams.

Manchester United fans do more than just participate by watching their team play and by discussing their successes and failures. For them, admiring club trophies, learning more about the history of Manchester United and set out to collect autographs and other souvenirs that showcase their commitment to their team. They also read Inside United - a magazine that is focused on providing in depth information about the Manchester United team - and enroll kids who are interested in learning more about soccer in Manchester United soccer schools.

A loyal following in England and elsewhere has led to Manchester United having a drive for success on the field. Fans this year will find themselves rewarded by the opportunity to see Manchester United participate in the Carling Cup against Middlesbrough. While Manchester United may not always be the best team in soccer, the reality is that, to their loyal fans, there will always be a sense that Manchester United is soccer in England.

Payton Brooks is a senior sports writer at Sportsviews. Read and rate more free articles like this one, create your own sports bets, and challenge others at Sportsviews, the biggest sports social network.