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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Park Ji-Sung ponders Man Utd exit

ESPN-Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung believes he doesn't have long left at Old Trafford and would consider a move to another club in the next couple of years.

Park, 30, has won the Champions League and four Premier League titles during his six-years at United but does not know how long he has left at the top level.
The South Korean's contract expires at the end of the 2011-12 season and he has recently been linked with a move to La Liga duo Sevilla and Atletico.
Park, who quit international football following the 2011 Asian Cup to help extend his club career, says he has no immediate desire to leave Manchester but would like to play for another club before he retires.
"I won't be able to show my best after one or two years. I don't know how long I can stay at Manchester," Park is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "I never thought about retirement but it's obvious that I don't have much time left as a player."
"According to circumstances, I might leave Manchester United and retire in another team," he added.
Park joined United in a £4 million deal from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and has been a huge success in England.
 

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Park Ji-Sung ponders Man Utd exit

ESPN-Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung believes he doesn't have long left at Old Trafford and would consider a move to another club in the next couple of years.

Park, 30, has won the Champions League and four Premier League titles during his six-years at United but does not know how long he has left at the top level.
The South Korean's contract expires at the end of the 2011-12 season and he has recently been linked with a move to La Liga duo Sevilla and Atletico.
Park, who quit international football following the 2011 Asian Cup to help extend his club career, says he has no immediate desire to leave Manchester but would like to play for another club before he retires.
"I won't be able to show my best after one or two years. I don't know how long I can stay at Manchester," Park is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "I never thought about retirement but it's obvious that I don't have much time left as a player."
"According to circumstances, I might leave Manchester United and retire in another team," he added.
Park joined United in a £4 million deal from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and has been a huge success in England.

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Berbatov still awaiting United offer

ESPN-Dimitar Berbatov has not yet been offered a contract extension but remains eager to remain at Manchester United, according to his agent.

Berbatov, 30, has a year remaining on his contract and, after his surprise omission from the Champions League final squad, serious doubts over his future at Old Trafford have been raised in the English press.
However, he has already underlined his desire to stay and, though the club have yet to make contact over a new deal, agent Emil Dantchev remains hopeful that his client will remain a Manchester United player.
"There is no news because we have not heard anything from anyone," Dantchev told Goal.com. "After we speak to Manchester United, we will know more, but now he is very happy to be a Manchester United player.
"Many clubs would be interested in Dimitar but he wants to stay in Manchester and win more trophies. He has a contract and he is not paying attention to the British media."
 

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Gill expects Scholes to retire

ESPN-Manchester United chief executive David Gill has revealed that he expects Paul Scholes to quit the game at the end of the season. 

Scholes got his hands on a tenth Premier League title on Saturday after coming on as a second-half substitute in United's 1-1 draw at Blackburn.
The 36-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and while Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to see him sign on for another year, Gill admits he would not be shocked if Scholes decided to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
"It wouldn't surprise us if Paul Scholes retired," Gill told BBC Radio 5Live. "At the end of the season, he will have a conversation with Sir Alex about that. I am sure he will let us know his decision and we will respect it. He has been a brilliant player for many years."
Scholes is not the only player whose future at Old Trafford lies in the balance. With defender Wes Brown and Michael Owen likely to leave in the summer, the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Ashley Young have been linked with a move to United.
Edwin van der Sar's impending retirement has seen United linked with Ajax's Maarten Stekelenburg, Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea and Schalke's Manuel Neuer. Gill refused to name the club's top target.
"We know the keeper we want," said Gill. "We are in a good situation with that and it will progress at the end of the season. It is not as though it is a surprise that Edwin is retiring.
"We have been associated with all the top goalkeepers in Europe for the last six to 12 months. We have made the decision and I am sure we can get the deal done."

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I was ready to retire - Neville

EUROSPORT-Former Manchester United and England full-back Gary Neville insists he was ready to retire and is enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle now he has called it a day.

The 36-year-old hung up his boots last month after a career spanning 19 years and more than 600 appearances.
And Neville said in an interview with MUTV: "It was a struggle towards the end for me. I was ready for it, when people finish their career they miss it. I feel content and happy, watching the games and enjoying it."
His efforts for United are likely to be remembered in a testimonial match at the end of the season, with an announcement due within the next couple of weeks. But the former United captain does not miss the strict regime he had to follow to continue a career at the top level of European football for so long.
He explained: "Hotel, rest, match, eat, sleep. That was the pattern, you are institutionalised into being like that. You have a privileged lifestyle but have to be professional."
Despite not missing playing for United, Neville is still a huge fan and was shown in amongst the fans during the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea. He added: "I just wanted to go and watch a few games normally, we decided to queue up outside. I wanted the real atmosphere and really enjoyed it. It was a different experience."
 

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Van der Sar rules out return to Ajax

ESPN-Edwin van der Sar has ruled out a return to Ajax after he retires, revealing he plans to stay at Manchester United in a non-playing role.

Van der Sar, 40, will quit at the end of the season, but told Dutch magazine Life After Football he will not be making good on a 12-year-old pledge to return to the club he won the Champions League with in 1995, just yet.

''I'm not going back to Amsterdam, though it would be very comfortable there with Frank de Boer, Danny Blind and Dennis Bergkamp,'' he said.

''When I left 12 years ago, I said I would return, but I did not know then what great years I would have with Manchester United. I might occasionally visit training with them, but I will not be going regularly.''

Instead, Van der Sar is mapping out a role with United.

''It may be that I'm going to give Manchester United clinics in Asia, where the club is very popular, or something in commerce,'' he added. ''I think this is interesting. I have already held some talks.''

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Manchester United defender Gary Neville retires

BBC-Manchester United defender Gary Neville has announced his retirement from professional football.
Neville, 35, made 602 appearances for United since his debut in 1992 and won a total of 85 England caps.
"I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had," he said.
"I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end. However, it comes to us all and it's knowing when that time is and for me that time is now."
The right-back signed for United in July 1991 and made his debut for the club in September 1992 in a Uefa Cup tie against Torpedo Moscow.
He was part of a side including David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes which won the FA Youth Cup in 1992.
Along with those players, he became a first-team regular at Old Trafford, winning the Champions League, eight Premier League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups in his time at United.
Neville was appointed United captain in 2005, and also became the country's most-capped right-back, playing under five different coaches.
A broken ankle sustained in a game at Bolton in March 2007 kept him on the sidelines for a whole season.
Although he battled back to make a further 33 appearances for the club, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Rafael provided stiff competition for him at right-back.
He stepped down as team captain in September 2010, although he continued to fulfil that role off the pitch.
Announcing his retirement with immediate effect, he said: "I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world as well as against them and I have been lucky to be a part of the team's achievements and the club's great success.
"There are so many people I want to thank and of course top of that list is Sir Alex Ferguson.
"He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years. He is truly one of the greatest managers and I have to thank him for that.
"There have also been so many great players that I have had the privilege to train and play alongside. The experiences we've shared will be with me for the rest of my life."
He added: "I am looking forward to new experiences and the club will always be a part of my life going forward.
"However, the most important thing now is for the club to continue with the success that is synonymous with Manchester United and I will be supporting them all the way, as a fan."
Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Gary was the best English right-back of his generation.
"He is an example to any young professional; hard-working, loyal and intelligent. As a United fan born and bred, his fantastic career at Old Trafford has cemented his place in the affection of the club's supporters everywhere."
Neville has been linked with a move into television punditry, while he is also considered a candidate to go into the coaching side of the game.
"Gary has been a great servant to the club and we thank him for his loyalty and his contribution to the tremendous success we have enjoyed in his playing time here," said United chief executive David Gill.
"I know from my many dealings with him over the years he always had the club's best interests at heart.
"So whilst this illustrious chapter in his career has finished, his experience, commitment and energy will ensure he will continue to play a part in the life of the club, whether on the coaching or the commercial side."
Team-mate Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "The best right-back in Premier League history, fact. Gonna be a big loss to our dressing room.
"Nev is loyal, funny, dedicated and talented....a true Man Utd legend. Gave his all for the club he supported and won a load of medals."
And former team-mate Steve Bruce told BBC Radio 5 live: "He had a wonderful hunger and desire to succeed, which kept him where he was in the game... a Manchester United icon."
Neville has been touted as a potential reserve-team coach at United, replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has returned to Norway to take charge at Molde.

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Park Ji-sung retires from internationals

ESPN-South Korea midfielder Park Ji-sung has retired from international football, boss Cho Kwang-rae has confirmed.
Park, 29, decided to call time on his international career along with team-mate Lee Young-pyo following South Korea's 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup third-place play-off encounter at Al Sadd Stadium.
''Two players from our team, Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo, are retiring today from international football,'' revealed Cho. ''They've done a remarkable job for the prosperity of Korean football.
''It would be better if I could retain both of them in the national team but other players have done an excellent job.''
Park won the last of his 100 caps in Tuesday's semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Japan. He made his debut in 2000 against Laos in an Asian Cup qualifier and lies eighth on Korea's all-time appearance list.
Cho revealed that Park wanted to play against Uzbekistan but following two consecutive games that went to extra-time, he left him out to avoid picking up an injury that could impact his Manchester United career.
''Park was desperate to play in today's match and he asked me to let him play but as he had played two extra times in the previous two games, the team doctor advised not to play him to prevent any possible injury,'' he added. ''I decided to save him for his future career at his club.''
Former Tottenham defender Lee, meanwhile retires having earned 127 caps for the Taeguk Warriors, leaving Celtic defender Cha Du-ri as the only player remaining from Korea's historic 2002 World Cup semi-final appearance.

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Van der Sar: I'll retire at end of season

ESPN-The 40-year-old, who joined United from Fulham in 2005, has taken the decision despite starting 21 of the club's 23 league matches this term.

"It is now time to pay attention to my family,'' said Van der Sar, who has been contemplating hanging up his boots since his wife Annemarie collapsed with a brain haemorrhage in December 2009.

"I cannot really identify a time when it [the decision] happened,'' said the former Ajax goalkeeper. "Let's just say that it was playing on my mind from the moment Annemarie had her stroke.

"She has fought back from it. We decided on another year in England and thus to stay at Manchester United. But, once engaged in the season, the thought of saying goodbye started to gnaw a bit more emphatically.''

He told sport-promotion.nl: "One minute you're out. The next, you question it again. I thought about stopping, maybe a year ago. It is a difficult process. After a defeat, I thought differently than after playing a few good games in a row.

"My age played no role. I am 40 years old, but I still feel fit. And then the decision came suddenly. Do not ask me how or why, but suddenly you know. That was sufficient."

Van der Sar is poised to turn down the offer of a coaching role with the Red Devils, preferring instead to take a break from the game. "I will hopefully not start coaching too quickly," he said.

"I will try to have 18 months or two years for myself - and I've a family to do nice things with, too."

The Netherlands international has won three Premier League titles at United, as well as one Champions League and one League Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already taken steps towards finding Van der Sar's successor by signing Anders Lindegaard from Aalesund during the January window.

United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele believes Van der Sar will go down alongside former Red Devil Peter Schmeichel as one of the club's greats following his decisive penalty save from Nicolas Anelka in the Champions League final shootout against Chelsea in May 2008.

Steele told Radio Manchester: "Edwin will retire at the end of the season. It has been a mutual decision between the manager, the team and Edwin.

"He has been a fantastic servant. I was very lucky. I worked alongside Peter Schmeichel at Villa and I worked with Edwin for two and a half years. That penalty save in Moscow has elevated Edwin alongside Peter."

He added: "We are naturally looking at potential suitors ready for the summer when Edwin does decide to say goodbye to us all. Anders has come in to freshen up our goalkeeping department. We never replaced Ben Foster in the summer.

"Edwin is going to be a very difficult man to replace. Anders will have five months working under the master, and Tomasz has been admirable every time he has gone in for us.

"We also have Ben Amos who is 20 and the manager thinks a lot of him. We have sent him out on loan to Oldham and he has done a terrific job so far, but he is still young and goalkeepers do develop later and do mature later.

"Come the end of the season the whole thing will be totally re-assessed by the manager. We either do it internally, and we have looked at the best targets, and we have a nice one, two and three."

Van der Sar started his career with Ajax in 1990 and enjoyed nearly a decade of success in Amsterdam. He picked up four Eredivisie titles and three Dutch cups on the domestic front and savoured European success with a UEFA Cup win in 1992 and Champions League glory three years later.

Two years at Juventus followed before a switch to Fulham in 2001. He soon established himself as one of the most reliable keepers in England and attracted the attention of United in 2005.

Van der Sar was charged with the task of filling the boots of Schmeichel, who left Old Trafford in 1999 after a wonderful spell at the club which ended with a Champions League victory.

Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, Raimond van der Gouw, Fabien Barthez, Roy Carroll and Ricardo had all tried and failed to command the United defence in the same manner as Schmeichel before Van der Sar arrived between the posts.

Van der Sar retired from international football after Euro 2008 and, although he briefly returned to help out Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk in two 2010 World Cup qualifiers a few months later, he hung up his gloves for good after that with a national record 130 caps to his name.

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Berbatov's agent denies exit talk

ESPN-Dimitar Berbatov's agent has rubbished stories that the striker could be set to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Berbatov finally appeared to have found top form in a United shift after scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool on September 19, meaning he had plundered six goals in his first five appearances of the season.
But rather than continuing that scoring spree, Berbatov has not scored a single goal since that treble.
Speculation in the press this week suggested that the former Bulgaria international could be offered to Real Madrid as part of a swap deal for Karim Benzema, but the player's representative has denied this.
Emil Dantchev said: "There's nothing to say. He will stay in Manchester. All the talk of a move is false."
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has blamed himself for the striker's loss of form. He told the Manchester Evening News: "In fairness to Dimitar's situation we have been changing the strikers quite a lot recently. I think I have to accept the responsibility for changing it too much.
"Now we are going to have to be looking at getting consistency of performance. We have a lot of good young striker options who have played in a lot of games recently, but hopefully we can get Wayne [Rooney] back to his best and Dimitar is suited to playing with Wayne.
"I don't think it has taken Dimitar back to square one. In our game it is very difficult to play well every week. It is a competitive league we are in. You see the results of this season and that tells you something. It is very competitive so getting the consistency of performance from front players is very difficult. You look around at other clubs and they are finding that much the same as us."
Sir Alex added on Rooney's fitness: "It has been intense for him in America - it hasn't been easy. It was solid work and hopefully we will pick up the football part as we go along. Games will help to get him back as quick as we can. His fitness is good. He needs that football training which he has not had a lot of but he is getting there.
"It is an ideal opportunity for him tonight in the sense of getting back to the level we know he is capable of. I think maybe two or three games should do it. Hopefully, he does well against Rangers. It is a high profile match, a terrific pitch, a great stadium and a terrific atmosphere so all the signs are plus ones for anyone to play well, particular someone with Wayne's ability.
"This is like starting the season for him - no question about that. He had that niggling injury, we have got him back towards fitness much much better with his week in Oregon and we hope he will be fine."

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Sir Alex Ferguson: I'm still too young to retire

ESPN-Sir Alex Ferguson says that he will stay on as Manchester United boss until he is forced out of the game due to ill health.
Ferguson, who has performed several U-turns over his decision to retire, has been at Old Trafford for 24 trophy-laden years and, three years ago, said he would give himself four years until retirement. The Scot is seen as one of the best bosses ever to have been involved in the game but now insists that he is not going anywhere soon.
"Retirement is for young people. If you retire when you're old, where do you go next?" he said. ''I would not quit unless my health deteriorated - that would be the only way for me to go. If I get off that treadmill where do you think I'd go - only one way, down."
When it was put to him that three years ago he tentatively mentioned 2011 as a potential date for stepping down, Ferguson replied: "I've changed my mind - again."
Ferguson also insisted that longevity was the key to a successful club, claiming that you have to build over time.
"I've been managing Manchester United for 24 years - I'm a phenomenon," he said. "Anyone can build a team, and that's fine in the short term. What I wanted to do, and what all managers should do is build a football club. All the way up from the bottom."

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