Cavani not United bound

ESPN-Edinson Cavani will not be moving to Manchester United this summer, according to the player's Italian representative.

Despite a recent contract extension tying him to Napoli for another five years, Cavani is still one of Europe's most sought-after strikers, causing Aurelio De Laurentiis, his club president, to claim the Uruguayan was worth "over €100 million".
And though that may have been a ploy aimed at the likes of Manchester United, Claudio Anelucci believes there is no threat of his client joining the Premier League champions: "This is the time of year when it is normal to hear talk of transfers to big clubs for astronomical fees," he told Radio Sportiva.
"The majority of the time there is nothing to them, as is the case with regards to a possible move to Manchester United for Edinson."
 

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Kagawa cools United link

ESPN-Shinji Kagawa has stressed his commitment to Borussia Dortmund, cooling rumours of a move to Manchester United.

Kagawa, 22, has been linked with a transfer to the Red Devils following some fine performances for his Bundesliga club.
The Japan international joined Dortmund from Cerezo Osaka last year and he scored eight goals in 17 league matches during his debut campaign.
"I can only say that in Dortmund I have found a wonderful place to play football and I just feel comfortable here," Kawaga told German daily the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung.
"I must, for my part, first of all work on getting back into the Dortmund team, I have no time to waste on other things."
Kagawa did admit that he could in the future be persuaded to join a side boasting the lure of Champions League football.
"If you look at the Champions League football on television, you see some really great clubs," he said. "It gives you a lot to think about and a lot of possibilities open up."

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Ole: I want to succeed Sir Alex

ESPN-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared his interest in succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United's manager.

Solskjaer is best remembered for the 91 goals he scored during his time at the club - including the winner in the 1999 Champions League final - and is a firm favourite with the club's fans.
He told talkSPORT: "I think if you ask any Man United player at any time of his career if you want to manage somewhere you want to manage Man United, because it's the best place to be.
"But to get there, to manage Man United, you need to go somewhere else and learn your trade so 15, 20 years from now maybe. I think if you ask any Man United player at any time of his career if you want to manage somewhere you want to manage Man United."
Solskjaer also took the time to contribute to the club versus country debate, declaring: "Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov are among a host of players who have been criticised for prematurely calling time on their international careers this year.
"When you get players who get to a certain age they start thinking about where the priorities should lie and I think that's when your responsibility towards your club is a big thing.
"I think Scholesy, Giggsy they've done fantastic after retiring from international football so we can't complain about that."
Solskjaer retired in 2007 after struggling with injury towards the end of his career.

 

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Cech: De Gea signing a 'huge gamble'

ESPN-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has questioned the wisdom of Sir Alex Ferguson signing David De Gea as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. 

Following Van der Sar's decision to hang up his gloves at the end of last season, Ferguson handed over a fee in the region of £18 million to Atletico Madrid for De Gea.
The 20-year-old stopper won the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup with Atletico, but has not won a senior cap for Spain - and the suspicion remains that he is yet to be tested at the very highest level.
Now Cech has ramped up the pressure on De Gea by recalling the trouble Ferguson had replacing Peter Schmeichel, who was unconvincingly succeeded by the likes of Massimo Taibi, Fabien Barthez and Roy Carroll.
"It's a huge advantage for Manchester United to have a goalkeeper who is 20 because he can stay for many years," Cech told Sky Sports News.
"It's a huge gamble at the same time because he's joining, historically, a very successful club with great [former] goalkeepers like Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar, and we all remember how many years it took to replace Peter Schmeichel.
"So let's see what is going to happen now Edwin van der Sar has retired because it's a huge task to fill the boots of Van der Sar."

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De Gea proud of 'important' United move

ESPN-Manchester United have signed David De Gea from Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of £18 million, with the Spanish goalkeeper describing the move as an "important step" in his career.
De Gea, 20, has signed a five-year deal with the Premier League champions to become Edwin van der Sar's successor. He joins Phil Jones and Ashley Young in moving to Old Trafford to take Sir Alex Ferguson's spending to £50 million this month.

The move comes just four days after De Gea helped Spain's Under-21 side win the European Championship in Denmark and he admitted his delight at sealing the switch to Old Trafford.

"I feel very proud and I can't wait to start playing here," De Gea told MUTV. "When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you it obviously makes you very, very happy.

"I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability. It's a great privilege to be part of a club like United and I'm keen to do my best and show what I can do."

De Gea won the Europa League and the European Super Cup with Atletico, but he is yet to win a senior cap for Spain with the tough competition of Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, the young 'keeper had been well-established as Atletico's No. 1 for some time, and insisted that he will always be grateful the role the Rojiblancos played in launching his career.

"Atletico Madrid made an offer to renew my contract in September or October and I said that I wouldn't study it until the Under-21 European Championships finished and do it with a little more calm,'' De Gea said. "In these cases it's important that your family advise you and they've done that.

"Atletico have always fought for me. I've always felt wanted, but the main reason for my going is that I want to play at Manchester (United). Manchester United are one of the best clubs in the world and it's an important step in my career. I'm going to do as well as possible there and try to succeed.''

De Gea, who has long been linked with a move to United, added: "There have been many rumours these last few months about if I had gone there or not, but the truth is that last week there was contact from Manchester United to Atletico Madrid saying that they would like me to visit their facilities and present an offer to me.

"I decided to go with my family and study the offer and see everything and that's when I decided. They have very good facilities. It's one of the best clubs in the world and I'm going there to continue growing as a player and as a person, and for that it's a perfect club.

"Atletico made an effort (to keep me), but my family and I have taken this decision. I want to thank everybody who has had faith in me and the fans who have always supported me since I was young. I will always carry Atleti in my heart.''

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Nani to stay at United

ESPN-Manchester United winger Nani will not be forced out of the club by the arrival of £17 million Ashley Young, contrary to reports. 

Nani topped the assists chart in the Premier League last season, and he was voted United's Players' Player of the Year. However, as the season neared a climax, the Portugal international increasingly found himself on the bench for big games, culminating in the Champions League final loss to Barcelona.
With Antonio Valencia producing the best form of his career upon return from serious injury, there is a feeling of three not fitting into two following the signing of Young from Aston Villa.
Park Ji-sung, the man who took Nani's place against Barcelona at Wembley, also declared on Friday that he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford, so Sir Alex Ferguson finds himself with a plethora of options for his wide positions.
Nani has been linked in the media with a move away from United, with Real Madrid a mooted destination. The player fanned flames over a possible move when stating recently: "I am fine at Manchester United, but it is good to hear there are other clubs interested. Would I like to work under [Jose] Mourinho? Yes, but at this moment I am fine at Manchester United."
However, sources close to Old Trafford are now stating that the 24-year-old will fight for his place, having just enjoyed his best season at the club, yielding 10 goals.
Ferguson is expected to seek a meeting with Nani in the near future to assure the winger of his place in the United squad, as the Red Devils attempt to win a 20th Premier League crown.
Money will need to be generated from somewhere though, with United expected to take their spending past £50 million with the purchase of David De Gea, but it is believed Wes Brown and Darron Gibson are closest to the exit door.

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Valencia: I don't fear Young competition

ESPN-Antonio Valencia has welcomed the arrival of Ashley Young at Manchester United, with the Ecuador winger insisting he has no intention of leaving the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson continued his summer shopping on Thursday when wrapping up the deal to bring Young to Old Trafford from Aston Villa.
The arrival of the England international has prompted suggestions that Valencia, who performed well towards the end of last season after battling back from serious injury, could be vulnerable.
But while Valencia is aware of the challenge he faces, he insists it is one that he will take on with relish.
"I heard about this on the news," Valencia said. "I do not fear his arrival. "The season is long and under Alex Ferguson everyone will get their chance in United's key matches.
"Ashley is a good footballer and I believe he will help us towards more success. As for myself, I have two more seasons left at United and I am convinced I will fulfil those. And maybe a few more years too."
Commenting on reports linking him with Real Madrid and Juventus, he said: "There are rumours about other clubs but I have no news on that."

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