Manchester United

Transfer rumours and paper review – Saturday, June 2

Anton Stanley — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:18:20 GMT

These are the stories making the headlines in the papers and online this morning…

Nani is thinking about leaving Manchester United even though the Portuguese winger, 25, is being offered a pay rise from £90,000 to £130,000 a week over the next four years. (The Sun)

Lampard, Barry, Rooney and more heartbreaking pre-tournament England injuries

Chris Mendes — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:27:29 GMT

If there is one thing that can rival penalties in the predictable tales of woe that seem to dog England, it's pre-tournament injuries. Less than two weeks before England's first group game at Euro 2012, one of our most impressive midfielders last season was ruled out of the tournament through injury, then days later another key player in the middle suffered the same fate.

The Spain star United are trying to steal from under Barca's nose: talkSPORT Transfer Spotlight

Lee Roden — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 07:45:00 GMT

Patrice Evra's days as a top-quality defender look numbered, with a series of below par shows for his club this season topped by an abysmal run out for France against Iceland. Sir Alex Ferguson's gaze has fallen on Spain while searching for someone to fill Evra's position, and there isn't a better left-back in La Liga than Valencia and Spain first-choice Jordi Alba. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more...

King and Saha head-up Premier League out of contract list

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:05:35 GMT

Spurs stars Ledley King and Louis Saha are two of the top names who are out of contract at the end of the season and yet to agree new deals at their clubs.

Teams were required to inform the Premier League of players that they had either retained or had yet to agree new deals with by May 19 and several high profile stars, including Jose Bosingwa and Salomon Kalou could now be on the move.

Hodgson opens door to Carrick England return

Nick Rostron-Pike — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:12:07 GMT

Roy Hodgson has opened the door for Michael Carrick to return to the England team.

The Manchester United midfielder made himself unavailable for Euro 2012, with reports suggesting he wasn't prepared to be a bit-part player with the Three Lions.

Man United outcast to quit Old Trafford

Ian Cruise — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:54:33 GMT

Manchester United prospect Oliver Norwood is set to leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football.

The midfielder, yet to make a senior appearance for United, featured in 36 games this season during loan spells at Scunthorpe and Coventry.

Norwood, 21, has been at United since he was seven but has not made sufficient progress to be considered for a regular first team place.

And now the Northern Ireland international says he wants out.

"I want to play every week like I was this season in the Championship," he said.

Thomas: Scholes would have been a great replacement for Lampard

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:09:18 GMT

Frank Lampard being forced out of Euro 2012 through injury is a massive blow to England's hopes, according to former Three Lions midfielder Geoff Thomas, who says it is a great shame Paul Scholes could not be tempted out of international retirement to replace him in Roy Hodgson's squad.

Napoli join Man United in race for Benfica star

Ian Cruise — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:00:22 GMT

Napoli have emerged as serious contenders in the battle to land Nico Gaitan from Benfica.

The Serie A side, who missed out on the Champions League for next season after finishing fifth in the league, are making transfer plans for the summer in a bid to return to Europe's premier competition.

And Gaitan is on their radar which could lead to a battle between themselves and Manchester United.

Gary Neville wins a trophy with England, Eden Hazard's move and more tweets of the week

Lee Roden — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:47:35 GMT

Boro blow as loan target suffers serious knee injury

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:42:03 GMT

Middlesbrough have suffered a massive blow with the news that Manchester United striker Will Keane will miss up to nine months with a knee injury.

Boro wanted to sign the rising star on loan for the new season but Keane has damaged anterior cruciate ligaments in his knee.

It's a similar injury to the one Nemanja Vidic suffered against Basle in the Champions League and the United captain is in a race to be fit for the 2012/2013 campaign.

Transfer rumours and paper review with Bruce Millington – Friday, June 1

Alex Varney — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:15:59 GMT

These are the stories making the headlines in the papers and online this morning…

Chelsea have agreed a fee of £38million for Porto striker Hulk and the deal is ready to be closed. (Guardian)

Brendan Rodgers tipped for glory by Mourinho, Lampard, Wenger, Redknapp and Sir Alex

Chris Mendes — Thu, 31 May 2012 23:00:01 GMT

Any Liverpool fans worried or disappointed by the decision to replace Kenny Dalglish with Brendan Rodgers this summer should feel a lot more confident after digesting this.

Tony Woodcock on Ralf Rangnick, Podolski and Kagawa

Anton Stanley — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:43:12 GMT

The former Arsenal and FC Köln star looks at all the latest news emanating from the Bundesliga.

He discusses West Brom's move for the former Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick, who is known as the 'football professor'.

Woodcock also talks about Lukas Podolski's move to the Gunners and the possibility of Shinji Kagawa joining a Premier League side.

Knaack: Kagawa will only get better at Manchester United

Nick Rostron-Pike — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:06:00 GMT

talkSPORT's man in Germany, Olly Knaack, claims Borussia Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa will relish playing in the Premier League.

Barcelona join Man United in race for Spain star

Ian Cruise — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:21:39 GMT

Manchester United will have to move fast if they want to sign Valencia defender Jordi Alba, with reports in Spain claiming Barcelona are the favourites to clinch his signature.

Alba is rated as one of the best left-backs in the world and has been attracting interest from a number of top clubs across Europe.

Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be a big admirer of the Spanish international and sees him as a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.

Proof English football will rule at Euro 2012

Lee Roden — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:46:05 GMT

English football is set to dominate this summer's European Championship, with England's top two divisions sending 78 players to Poland and Ukraine. German football comes second best with 49, but Spain and Italy don't even come close, only managing just over 30 each. Of the players making the trip from England, Chelsea has the most representatives with nine players.

Transfer rumours and paper review with Tom Hopkinson - Thursday, May 31

Alex Varney — Thu, 31 May 2012 07:10:47 GMT

These are the stories making the headlines in the papers and online this morning…

Rafael Van Der Vaart could be heading out of White Hart Lane after Schalke launched a £10million-plus move for the Tottenham playmaker. (Daily Mail)

Hamilton on Hulk, Kagawa and Van Der Vaart

Michael Wade — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:55:03 GMT

World Soccer editor Gavin Hamilton gives Kick Off the inside track on some of the big transfer deals this summer including Chelsea's hopes of signing Hulk and Spurs' chances of keeping Rafael Van Der Vaart

Exclusive - Premier League trio chasing 'Ukrainian Lionel Messi'

Nick Rostron-Pike — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:52:46 GMT

A trio of Premier League clubs are hot on the trail of Dnipro playmaker Yevhen Konoplyanka, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all monitoring the 22-year-old playmaker.

Dubbed the "Ukrainian Lionel Messi", Konoplyanka could be available at a cut price now but is expected to star for his country at Euro 2012, which could see his valuation increase significantly.

John Terry and Wayne Rooney's special birthday card for Steven Gerrard

Craig Bloomfield — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:38:54 GMT

It's Steven Gerrard's 32nd birthday and we've got a sneak peek at the birthday card messages from his England pals, plus John Henry.

Looks like it was too late for Brendan Rodgers to sign it!

Vickery: Henriquez isn't ready for Manchester United move

Nick Rostron-Pike — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:07:16 GMT

talkSPORT's South American expert, Tim Vickery, claims Angelo Henriquez should stay with Universidad de Chile for at least another season, despite interest from Manchester United.

Poll: Who would you pick for England - Henderson or Carrick?

Nick Rostron-Pike — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:47:10 GMT

The Drive Time boys need your views on the two midfielders.

Liverpool and Chelsea v Man United and Arsenal: the case for change v stability

Lee Roden — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:09:00 GMT

As Liverpool are poised to appoint Brendan Rodgers as their fourth boss in two years, the Anfield side are hoping to transform their fortunes with a new man in charge. Does changing your manager really mean a change of form, or is Fergie-style consistency the true key to success? talkSPORT take a look at some examples of both theories in practice, including one club with a quite record of mangerial change. Click the arrows above for more.

Teen superstars who failed to fulfil their potential - Walcott, Fowler, Dos Santos and more

damian mannion — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:23:02 GMT

Speaking to talkSPORT, former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson slammed current Gunners star Theo Walcott, claiming the winger is a 'liability'.

Late contenders for the Liverpool job? Jewell, Allen and more for FSG to consider

Chris Mendes — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:33:50 GMT

Brendan Rodgers is now favourite to be named the new Liverpool manager, but could there still be one late twist in the tale with an as yet unnamed candidate?

Here talkSPORT takes a firmly tongue-in-cheek look at five top managers the Reds could still consider…