Roy Hodgson has apologised for his attack on the Liverpool fans. Hodgson criticised them for jeering him during Wednesday's shock home defeat to Wolves, saying they have never been behind him. The beleaguered Reds boss, who is fighting to hang on to his job, claims he never meant to offend the Kop. "I'm disappointed with that and I certainly regret if I have offended them in any way," he said. "It was no way meant to be an offensive comment on my part. In fact, it was a purely defensive comment.
"I went on to say that whilst describing my situation as not being able to win the fans over with the performances, I was taking the responsibility and was quite prepared to take it on the chin that I would be the one in the firing line for the team's poor performance, but I fully understood and empathised with them. "I'm very disappointed if that's been changed into me attacking the fans. There's no way I would want to do that and there's no way that would be justified either because everyone knows Liverpool fans and the support from Liverpool fans is the best in the country. "I'm also fully aware that to get the best out of that support, you have to give them something to look forward to supporting and we certainly didn't do that on Wednesday night. I would have been very surprised if the reaction had been any different to what it was." Hodgson hopes there will be no backlash against him during tomorrow's crunch clash at home to Bolton and claims he can still win the fans over. "I hope there would not be a backlash because I would hope that this interview, if it is shown in any detail, will prove there was no intention on my part," he said. "I didn't set out to attack the fans. I had to answer the question about how I felt about being the butt of their jeers and whilst empathising with them, I also tried to defend my position. "Everything is retrievable if the team plays well. That's the bottom line. Fans want to see their team win and we've got to start winning. We've got to start playing well again and if we do, I'm sure the fans will be happy with what they see. They will really get behind us. "But the first thing we have got to do is win matches. I need the results as well. We're working very hard in training and I feel satisfied with that. I've got the feeling we are working in the right way and are getting better in our game, despite the obvious blips along the way, but it is going to be a matter of time. "I require the patience of everybody and the fans could help me and the team, and I'm sure they will. Liverpool fans are at their best when things don't go well and they know things aren't going well so I think we can count on their full support."
This is first time that I can remember a Liverpool manager having the fans turn on him after such a short time in the job. Roy Hodgson has been that what, five months? And yet the fans are not happy because they have seen the way he sets out his teams home and away and they are not impressed. I think he is a lucky man though, because the new owners appear not to be of the knee-jerk variety. They seem more inclined to take the softly, softly approach. It strikes me that they are wondering what the benefits of sacking Roy would actually be. Who else is out there, for example and who that person could bring in during the January transfer window that would improve things.
Harry Redknapp today revealed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had been urging him to splash the cash in the January transfer window. It was widely thought Spurs needed to sell before they could buy when the window opens tomorrow, but it now appears Levy is ready to bankroll the club's push for a second straight Champions League campaign and even a tilt at the Barclays Premier League title. Manager Redknapp is eager to reinforce his squad but is reluctant to make signings just for the sake of it, admitting finding the right players was proving difficult. "The owner would like me in all honesty to go and spend his money and buy somebody who could make the difference," he said.
"But I don't know where that player is. "I know where they are but they're not for sale - we can't go and buy the people that you'd put your life on. "Anybody whose got anybody who's real top class, they don't want to sell them at this stage of the season. "We're not in the situation where we need to panic buy. "Unless it's somebody who's going to make a difference to the team then we really wouldn't bother." Redknapp's problem is improving a squad that is already one of the strongest in the country. He added: "We've got good players. We've got players that are getting better, which is great. "(Gareth) Bale, what a year he's had. Luka Modric, he's just been incredible. "You've got (Rafael) van der Vaart here now who's come in and, when he's been fit and playing, has just been fantastic." Several players have been linked with loan or permanent moves away from White Hart Lane during the window, including Robbie Keane, David Bentley, Luka Modric, Giovani dos Santos, Niko Kranjcar and the injury-blighted Jonathan Woodgate. Redknapp insisted today no agreements had been reached with any club and reiterated Keane was available for permanent transfer only. "He still could play a big part for us, I think," said Redknapp on the prospect of no suitable bid being forthcoming. Tottenham host Fulham tomorrow in their first match of 2011 and Redknapp believes the final games of 2010 have proven decisive in the Premier League season, with the Spurs boss declaring the battle for Champions League qualification a five-horse race. "Not being disrespectful to the other teams but, the position we're in, it really is beginning to look like it could be the five teams pushing for the Champions League places," said Redknapp, whose side will go fourth if they win tomorrow. "Who are you going to knock out? You're not going to knock Man United out, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City. "It looks like we're going to finish fifth, having said all that!" He added: "We want to be right up there challenging to get into the Champions League next year and even higher if we can." Fulham are fighting for their lives at the other end of the table, with Tuesday night's 2-0 win at Stoke easing the pressure on manager Mark Hughes. Redknapp said: "It's just a case of people - owners - holding their nerve when you have a bad run. "You have to look at all the circumstances - injuries. "Fulham lost Bobby Zamora - that was a massive loss. "For them, he was different class. "Everything revolved around Bobby Zamora." Hughes was subjected to chants of "Hughes out" and "You don't know what you're doing" during Sunday's 3-1 defeat to West Ham. Redknapp said: "No disrespect, what are Fulham supposed to do? "If they finish halfway, it's a fantastic achievement, in my opinion. "He's spent no money, Mark. He's gone in there, worked with what he's had. "I don't know what else people can expect. "They used to be in the old Fourth Division."
Avram Grant is putting together an ambitious plan to sign Michael Owen in January. Under-pressure West Ham boss Grant is desperate to strengthen his strike force and Owen is top of the club's list of targets. Grant also likes Everton's out-of-favour Yakubu and had two bids knocked back in the summer but wants to try again. Upton Park joint owner David Gold has already promised to make vast improvements to the squad and they are ready to bankroll a spectacular signing if it means getting the club out of trouble.
West Ham have already had an ambitious attempt to sign Emmanuel Adebayor knocked back despite offering to pay £100,000-a-week towards his wages if Manchester City let him out on loan. That was knocked back but West Ham are keen on former England and Real Madrid striker Owen, 31, who has struggled to hold down a place at Manchester United. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Owen is still in his plans but West Ham want to test their resolve with the striker only having six months left on his current deal. West Ham favour a loan move for Owen but if they stay up that may change. Grant is also a big fan of Yakubu but Everton's valuation of around £8m scared West Ham off in the summer. But with Yakubu out of the team, that may have changed and Grant took an opportunity on Tuesday to talk to the Nigerian when the clubs met at Upton Park on Tuesday. West Ham are also one of the clubs who have enquired about taking David Beckham on loan from LA Galaxy for two months. Tottenham, West Ham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Everton and Blackpool have also asked to be kept in the loop about developments.
Scott Parker has admitted West Ham's basement battle with Wolves is a "must-win" match for the Premier League's bottom side. Mick McCarthy's men climbed above the Hammers with their stunning victory at Anfield. So despite an unbeaten run of three games over Christmas, Avram Grant's side still start the New Year in 20th and last place. And England midfielder Parker, West Ham's best player this season, admitted games are now running out to pull clear of the drop zone.
"I don't think it is too soon to call Wolves a must-win game - that's exactly what it is," he said. "There's no hiding the fact we go into the Wolves game and we've got to look at it like we've got to win. "They're down there with us and, if we're going to get out of it, we're going to have to beat the teams around us. "Every single week and every single game is going to be crucial for us this season. "That's the way it's going to be - every single game, no matter what it is, will be a game that we need to win. "Certainly, Wolves are a team which we need to go and try to get three points from." After a hard-fought draw at Blackburn, the Hammers won their first away game in 16 months at Fulham on Boxing Day to get off the bottom of the table for the first time since October. That was followed by a home draw with Everton on Tuesday night. But this crazy Premier League season then saw Wigan come back to nick a point against Arsenal - and then Wolves win their first match at Anfield for 26 years. Now the full weight of the Premier League back on the Irons, although they can also climb out of the drop zone with three points tomorrow. "It's always good when you're picking up points and winning games and nicking points here and there," Parker continued. "But Premier League is Premier League. Everyone's picking up points. Like we've seen all year, it seems that anyone on their day seem to be able to beat any team. "It's just such a tough league. But there has been a definite improvement "We went away to Blackburn and got a result, we obviously went to Fulham and scored three goals. Then even though Everton were much fresher than us, we looked solid against them and we picked up a result, which was very pleasing." But after just avoiding relegation last year, the stats show West Ham have the worst record of any Premier League club in the last calendar year with only 34 points from 38 games. Co-owner David Gold yesterday revealed the club have made enquiries about 15 different players with the aim of bringing in three new signings in the January window. With Steve Sidwell set to join, the Hammers are looking for a left-back and a forward. "Hopefully, we can bring some players in, strengthen the squad," said Parker. "That would be very good."
Charlton have been taken over by businessmen Michael Slater and Tony Jimenez. The Addicks, currently third in npower League One, have been searching for new investment since they were relegated from the Barclays Premier League in 2007. Lawyer and businessman Slater becomes the club's new chairman and Jimenez, who briefly held the post of vice-president (player recruitment) at Newcastle, will be on the board along with outgoing chairman Richard Murray and former chief executive Peter Varney. "We are delighted to have taken control of Charlton," Slater, 44, told the club's official website, Charlton Athletic | Home. "The club has a long and proud history and has an incredibly loyal fanbase. "I'd like to pay tribute to Richard Murray, who took on a huge financial responsibility last summer when he saved the club from almost certain administration while he sought new investment. "Today's acquisition brings much-needed financial stability to the club. Our plan is to run the club on a sensible financial footing and develop a commercial plan to ensure we make progress on and off the pitch to meet the expectation of the fans. "What we won't do is create unrealistic pie-in-the-sky expectations." Jimenez, 48, had previously been linked with a takeover at The Valley with his close friend Dennis Wise, whom he also worked alongside at Newcastle. The cost of the buy-out has not been disclosed.
Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney has already started planning for life as a manager. Sir Alex Ferguson has often reported receiving hints from Rooney about his United team selections, advice he usually ignores. However, it seems the 25-year-old is serious when considering what to do when his own playing days are over. In an extensive MUTV interview with former United European Cup winner Paddy Crerand, Rooney confirmed he has started to take his coaching badges, and has no fears about beginning a new career on the bottom rung of the ladder. "I would like to be a manager. That would be my ambition when I finish playing," said Rooney. "You see the players who have played for Sir Alex and gone on to be good managers. I am hoping to do that one day. "But I wouldn't like to follow the manager here, or start at an Everton or Manchester United. "I want to learn something about the lower leagues and build a reputation that way rather than just jumping into a big club. "It is not right if someone goes in and gets a big job with no experience. There are managers who have worked for years trying to get that." Of course, United are hoping Rooney remains an invaluable member of Ferguson's squad for some time to come given he only recently signed a lucrative five-and-a-half-year contract extension. The controversy surrounding that saga will linger for a good while yet. But, in a revealing insight, in which Rooney confirmed he likes to relax before matches by listening to former Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle, the striker now concedes he was out of order to demand assurances about United's continued progress from Ferguson and chief executive David Gill. "I went to see the manager and David Gill and asked them for answers," he recalled. "Now I realise it has nothing to do with me but I wanted to make sure it was the right thing for me to do. "I got the answers in the end but looking back it was probably wrong of me to do that." Rooney did not commit himself to Old Trafford until after a visit from a hooded gang of around 30 to his plush mansion in Prestbury. It was an alarming evening for Rooney, who could not even venture out to tell his "visitors" that agreement had already been reached. "I looked out and saw 30 blokes with their hoods up. I wasn't going to invite them in for tea," he recalled. "I understood some of the fans were disappointed and felt let down. But it was just one of those things I had to get right. "Thankfully I have sorted it out now. I have made the right decision and made myself happy. "But I didn't even think about where I was going to go. There was no way I would have gone to Manchester City and there was more chance of me going to City than Liverpool." Rooney also reflected on England's "terrible" World Cup campaign and his attack on the national team's supporters immediately after the goalless draw with Algeria in Cape Town. "The emotions were high because we weren't winning," he said. "Our fans were booing after 10 minutes. That is what I was saying. It was disappointing." In addition, he also reveals that on the day four years earlier when Cristiano Ronaldo was condemned for trying to get Rooney sent off in Gelsenkirchen, the England man had been guilty of a very similar offence earlier in the game when his then team-mate took a dive. "I went up to the referee and said he had dived and he should be booked. No one saw that," he shrugged. "Everyone saw mine because it was a red card." Rooney still misses Ronaldo now and cannot believe the Portugal superstar is not among the three nominees for this year's Ballon D'Or. United will not get him back though, which means Rooney must take the scrutiny of his own career, and the present failure to score a goal in open play since March. "I want to score in every game," he said. "But the most important thing is for the team to win. "We have been doing well since I came back and I know I will start scoring goals again, I have no worries about that."
Gerard Houllier insists Aston Villa's star wing duo of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing will not be sold during the January transfer window. And the Villa boss has called on his players to "stand up and be counted" ahead of Sunday's daunting clash with champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Young and Downing have been linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively during the past week. The club have lost Gareth Barry and James Milner to Manchester City during the past two summers. But Houllier will only offload players he feels are not part of his plans and has been given the green light to bring in new signings next month by chairman Randy Lerner. When asked if Downing and Young would be sold, Houllier said: "No. No way. Categorically no. "The chairman reassured me [there will be money to spend] although I've got everyone coming back. "But I can tell you that at some stage, if we need some players in, we will take them." Houllier intimated that defender Richard Dunne and midfielder Stephen Ireland will soon be back in his plans as he looks for a positive reaction to the 4-0 mauling at Manchester City. Houllier said: "At some stage there will be [a way back for them], sooner rather than later. "They are out of the team only on footballing reasons. They weren't performing at times." Houllier added: "In life when you have to face, adversity you fight. This is what you have to do. "I think some players are affected mentally by what is happening here. "They are man enough now to be counted and say 'we can cope' but it is a team thing. "The confidence will come sometimes with an unexpected result like Wolves when they won at Liverpool. That gave a huge boost to everyone there. "Sometimes it can come from the fact that in the game the performance is better and you can keep a clean sheet even if you don't get a win. "The confidence comes when you get together, you know you fight together, and you get a better level of your football. "Maybe a minor result becomes more important. That is how you build your confidence." Houllier insists he is relishing the challenges lying ahead of him to re-establish Villa and transform their current fortunes. He said: "I knew there would be pressure and there is more pressure and the feeling is not the same when you don't win games, but I knew that. "I didn't come just for the fun. I just also came for what is sometimes difficult. "The road to success is never a simple one. It is never smooth and easy. "Sometimes you get bumps and it is rocky at the moment for many reasons but we will get through it." Ashley Young and striker Emile Heskey will return at Stamford Bridge after recovering from knee and ankle setbacks respectively. But right-back Luke Young is still sidelined with his groin and hip problems.
David Moyes has challenged his Everton players to plug the chasm left by Tim Cahill when he heads off to the Asia Cup. Tomorrow's game at Stoke will be Cahill's last before he heads off to compete with Australia for all of next month and the Blues will sorely miss their nine-goal top scorer. Moyes claims it is down to everyone, not just his misfiring strikers, to replace the Aussie's goals. "Tim Cahill has scored nine goals and is the third highest scorer in the Premier League," said the Everton boss. "We need someone else to pop up with some goals and if we don't score goals, I'm going to have to think of another solution. "I've looked at it and said have we been getting enough opportunities, have we been creating enough chances? "There have been games where the centre-forwards have not had good opportunities and there has been bad service. "But when you look at the majority of the games, we have had lots of good chances. "It's not just about the centre-forwards and Sylvain Distin had two great chances to score in midweek and didn't score. So it's not always been about the forwards." Moyes would love to sign Roque Santa Cruz on loan from Manchester City, but is pessimistic about his chances of bringing anyone in. "Probably not," he said. "We look if we can do something, but I don't expect it will be a really busy market. "Who knows? I might be wrong."
Gerard Houllier gloomy on Villa deal for Gueida Fofana
Fofana had been in Birmingham for talks with Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier said a deal to sign France Under-19 captain Gueida Fofana was unlikely to be completed after talks stalled. Midfielder Fofana, 19, was in Birmingham hoping to complete a move from Le Havre worth about £800,000. But Houllier said: "The Fofana deal is not done and I doubt it will be done. "For the moment, an agreement has not been reached. I've got young players here already and you need a balance in terms of wages and abilities." Despite admitting the move was in danger, Houllier emphasized Fofana's credentials. "He's got potential. He's a 19-year-old player, very mature, with a strong personality," said Houllier.
"He was captain of the France side that won the European Under-19 Championships. "But it's more likely [the move] not to happen." Houllier was, however, more optimistic about signing Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings on loan until March. Cummings is having a trial at Villa and Houllier said: "The MLS season is finished and Omar will probably be here until March. "He is quick and can also play on the wing and, don't forget, we have not many options up front at this time. "I don't think we can say yet when he will be involved. We need a work permit and things like that so we will see. There's no cost, no risk."
Aaron Ramsey could return for Arsenal's Carling Cup semi final. Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Ramsey's loan at Nottingham Forest will not be extended and he will return to Arsenal on January 2. Forest may ask for Ramsey to be able to play against Ipswich on January 3. That now puts fit-again Ramsey - who suffered a horrific broken leg at Stoke in February - in with a chance of being in the squad for the two-legged tie with Ipswich. Arsenal boss Wenger said: "Ramsey will definitely come back to us. He didn't get the number of games we wanted from him because of the snow. He is a snow victim. We are as well, consequently. He'll come back on 2 January." Wenger wants Ramsey back with Abou Diaby ruled out for three weeks with a calf strain. Meanwhile, Wenger confirmed that Norwegian defender Harvard Nordtveit is set to join Borussia Monchengladbach next month, having agreed a nominal fee with a sell-on clause. Wenger said: "He needs to play. Great quality, fantastic character. We gave him to Nurenberg last year. He needs to play now. "We had high hopes, but we have a number of centre-backs and full-backs. He didn't get the games. I thought it was the right moment for him to go and play."
Aaron Ramsey could return for Arsenal's Carling Cup semi final. Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Ramsey's loan at Nottingham Forest will not be extended and he will return to Arsenal on January 2. Forest may ask for Ramsey to be able to play against Ipswich on January 3. That now puts fit-again Ramsey - who suffered a horrific broken leg at Stoke in February - in with a chance of being in the squad for the two-legged tie with Ipswich. Arsenal boss Wenger said: "Ramsey will definitely come back to us. He didn't get the number of games we wanted from him because of the snow. He is a snow victim. We are as well, consequently. He'll come back on 2 January." Wenger wants Ramsey back with Abou Diaby ruled out for three weeks with a calf strain. Meanwhile, Wenger confirmed that Norwegian defender Harvard Nordtveit is set to join Borussia Monchengladbach next month, having agreed a nominal fee with a sell-on clause. Wenger said: "He needs to play. Great quality, fantastic character. We gave him to Nurenberg last year. He needs to play now. "We had high hopes, but we have a number of centre-backs and full-backs. He didn't get the games. I thought it was the right moment for him to go and play."
An Angolan court has sentenced a man to 24 years in jail for the deadly attack on Togo's football team in January. Joao Antonio Puati's lawyer told the AFP news agency he was found guilty for committing "armed rebellion". The bus carrying the team was attacked in the province of Cabinda as it arrived for the African Cup of Nations. Mr Puati had pleaded not guilty at the opening of his trial and denied having links to a separatist group which said it was behind the shooting. Another man, Daniel Simbai, was acquitted of the same charges. Two Togolese officials were killed in the 30-minute gun attack which a faction of the Front for the Liberation of the State of Cabinda (Flec) said it carried out. 'Tortured'"Joao Antonio Puati was at the scene and his link with Flec was established during the trial," Antonio Nito, Cabinda's attorney general, told AFP.
The BBC's former Angola correspondent Louise Redvers says the defence lawyers have put in an appeal to the Supreme Court. They say the link to Flec was not established during the trial, but came from police statements taken from Puati during his time in custody. Defence lawyer Arao Tempo told the BBC that his client, had been tortured in prison and forced to admit he was connected to Flec. He added that the decision to sentence Mr Puati, who is from Congo-Brazzaville, while absolving his Angolan co-accused, was a highly political one. It was about sending a message to Congo-Brazzaville, where many Flec members and supporters are known to live and operate, he said. Last week, four human rights activists arrested over the January attack were released from prison. Rights organisations have accused Angola of using the raid on the Togolese team to justify a crackdown on its critics in the province of Cabinda. Flec has been fighting for three decades for independence in Cabinda, an area separated from Angola by a strip of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite being rich in oil, the region is one of the poorest in the country.
As the transfer window nears, Darren Lewis is back with exclusive club-by-club previews of the January sales. Check out who Darren believes will be coming in - and going out - at Chelsea. Will Carlo Ancelotti lose out on Edin Dzeko and David Luiz to Manchester City? And what about moves for Dario Srna, Gary Cahill, and Fernando Torres as the Blus try to arrest a worrying decline in form?
Sir Alex Ferguson today refused to be drawn into Manchester City's title Kiddology as he insisted the race for the crown is more wide open than ever. City assistant boss Brian Kidd, Fergie's former Old Trafford No 2, had suggested that United could only throw the title away after reaching the mid-way point unbeaten and top of the pile. Premier League is United's to lose, says City coach But Fergie declined to bite, insisted: "It's there for everybody to win or lose it. "The nature of this league is that every game or every set of fixtures you could see surprise results. "We were disappointed in the last game at Birmingham not to win but the next night Arsenal dropped two points against 10 men at Wigan and Wolves won at Anfield. "There are five or six teams challenging and it's there for everybody to win or lose it." Ferguson suggested Portugal winger Nani will miss tomorrow's game with West Brom although he could return for the midweek game with Stoke and that he would "freshen" up the team at The Hawthorns, with Darren Fletcher likely to come back into the midfield at the expense of Darron Gibson, while Paul Scholes is still out after a groin problem and will not return to training until next week. But while recent history suggests it will come down to a battle between two dominant forces, Ferguson hinted things could be different this time round. He added: "In the last few years there have been period when the top four have all been within a few points and everybody has said 'it's an exciting league' but by the end it's come down to two teams contesting it. "It could happen again, with just two sides contesting at the last stage but if there were still to be five or six teams it would be fantastic for the league, the kind of league you dream of. "You don't get that in any other country. Spain is normally always Real Madrid versus Barcelona, in Germany it tends to be Bayern Munich and somebody else, in Italy one of the Milan clubs and Juventus. So it we could get five teams challenging would be exciting and fantastic." United have never before reached this stage of the season without a defeat and have the chance of replicating Arsenal's famous and historic "Invincibles" campaign of 2003-04. But Fergie warned: "I don't expect to go through the season unbeaten. "I've not addressed that at this point, although if it's still the same with three games to go you would address it. But you have to be able to handle defeat if you get one and I know we can do that." Ferguson confirmed he is willing to let Italian striker Federico Macheda go out on loan for the second half of the season, pointing to the advances Danny Welbeck has made during his spell at Sunderland. "Danny has proved what happens when you get consistent, regular football," said Ferguson. "He's progressed dramatically. "He's played in the two Carling Cup Finals for us and the FA Cup semi-final but didn't get enough football to progress. The way he's going he'll get in the England squad this season and that's exactly what he needed, to go away for six months and come back a better player. "It's the same with Kiko. Michael Owen should be fit soon, Chicarito has done pretty well, Bebe will be a striker and I can play Gabriel Obertan in that position as well. I've had a chat with the boy and we agree he needs games." Ferguson celebrates his 69th birthday today but his otherwise buoyant mood was darkened by the dismissal by Preston of his son Darren. "These sort of things always happen at Christmas," said the United boss. "A lot of managers have lost their jobs but Darren will be all right. He will get over it. It's not the first time it's happened to him. The experience will have done him good."
Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson rules out January buys
Ferguson's side are top of the Premier League on goal difference
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he will not buy any new players in the January transfer window. When asked about possible purchases the 69-year-old Scot stated there would "definitely not" be any new arrivals. But Ferguson hopes to loan out Federico Macheda for the rest of the season to increase the striker's experience. The 19-year-old Italian, who has made seven appearances in the Premier League this season, has been linked with former club Lazio, Roma and Bolton. Ferguson confirmed that Macheda's fellow forwards, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf, will remain on loan at Sunderland and Blackburn respectively. Welbeck has enjoyed success on Wearside and Ferguson is hopeful Macheda could have a similarly productive time away from Old Trafford.
England Under-21 international Welbeck has made 18 league appearances for Sunderland, scoring five goals, despite being in competition with expensive recruits Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan for a place in the Black Cats' strike force. "I had a chat with Federico and explained the Welbeck situation," said Ferguson. "It can pan out exactly the same for him. It would be the same thing, going to a club, getting that experience for six months and coming back to us a better player." Macheda made an immediate impact on his Red Devils debut with a superb injury-time winner against Aston Villa in April 2009 and a four-year deal followed in December to extend his stay at Old Trafford until June 2014. However, the success of summer signing Javier Hernandez and the return to fitness of Michael Owen look set to limit Macheda's chances up front for Manchester United. Ferguson has concentrated his spending on the summer break in recent years and did not sign any players in January 2010. He did sign two players in the January window the year before but Serbian winger Zoran Tosic left for CSKA Moscow in June after five first-team appearances while Belgian defender Richie de Laet only returned from a loan spell with Preston on Thursday.
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De Laet and forward Joshua King's loans at Deepdale were due to expire after the match against Crystal Palace on 3 January, but they have returned to Old Trafford early in the wake of Ferguson's son, Darren, being sacked as Preston manager. United agreed a deal for Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard with Aalesund in November and the 26-year-old will be available for selection from January. Ferguson conceded that he may have to reinforce his squad by recalling midfielder Tom Cleverley from his loan spell with Wigan. Cleverley has been away from Old Trafford for almost two years, impressing on loan spells at Leicester and Watford before taking up the option of a temporary spell at the DW Stadium. "Tom has done excellently as well but the agreement with him was always that we would review it in January," said Ferguson. "I have a fantastic relationship with Wigan so I have not discussed it any further than that. "The only problem is that we have lost Park Ji-sung to the Asia Cup for the whole of January and I don't have Antonio Valencia back until the end of February, so we are a bit light in that respect in terms of wide positions." Ferguson expects Paul Scholes to return to training next week in a further boost to his midfield options. The 35-year-old has not played since injuring his groin in the Champions League win over Rangers on 24 November.
Wigan have confirmed the signing of Adrian Lopez after receiving international clearance for the Spain Under-21 defender to play in England. The 23-year-old exercised his option to move as a free agent after his contract at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna expired at the end of last season, and has now been given the go-ahead from world governing body FIFA. Lopez, also known by his nickname of 'Piscu' in Spain, has penned a deal which will keep him at the DW Stadium for the rest of the season. Manager Roberto Martinez told Wigan Athletic | WAFC Scores, News, Transfers, Fixtures "We've been waiting a while for the FIFA resolution. "And it's great to see Adrian's desire to play for Wigan Athletic can finally be fulfilled. "He is a player with a fantastic football education, coming through the ranks of Deportivo La Coruna and playing for Spain at Under-19 and Under-21 level, which gives him a unique development, and makes him a defender with real potential. "He is a defender who is very calm under pressure, and is a great reader of the game, and I am confident he will be able to fulfil his potential at Wigan. He is desperate to help the squad to win games for Wigan Athletic." The 6ft defender has played 23 times in La Liga and 16 times in cup competitions for Deportivo. Lopez, who came through the ranks at the Riazor and broke into the first team in 2007, has been allocated squad number 24 for Wigan.
"You know what? You look at all the chaos going on at Liverpool and City, then look at Chelsea and you think it's unnaturally quiet." I only said that to a reporter on a rival paper six weeks or so ago. And it now looks utterly ridiculous. Then again, that is what covering Chelsea does to anybody. You're left only imagining what it must be like to actually work in the madhouse. If someone had tried to tell you in May, as John Terry lifted the FA Cup and Chelsea were celebrating the first domestic Double in their history, that 2010 would end with Carlo Ancelotti scrabbling to keep his managerial head above water, you would have laughed at them. But Chelsea, as we've all learned to accept since Roman Abramovich appeared out of nowhere in 2003, is not a normal club. It is a law unto itself, seemingly damned to spend eternity resurrecting each and every mistake. When you have a settled team and settled management, one that is a proven success, the last thing you should do is upset the applecart. Yet that is precisely what Chelsea did when Ray Wilkins was summoned midway through a youth team game against Bayern Munich to be told to clear his desk by chief executive Ron Gourlay. Five league games without a win later, the worst run in 11 years, and Chelsea had dropped from first to fourth, with Ancelotti, seven months after winning the Double, facing a huge battle. Maybe, though, we should have expected it. After all, the last four Chelsea managers to win the FA Cup - Ruud Gullit in 1997, Luca Vialli in 2000, Jose Mourinho in 2007 and Guus Hiddink in 2009 - had been replaced long before the end of the following season. So far Ancelotti, humorous, decent and a thoroughly top bloke - who loves a crude joke, too, it must be said - has avoided that fate. It has been, even by Chelsea standards, a remarkable 12 months. The chaos started with the revelations of the skipper's affair with Wayne Bridge's former girlfriends, the circus surrounding "Team Terry" and "Team Bridge" when Manchester City went to the Bridge and won, and appeared to be plummeting over the abyss as Mourinho sauntered back into SW6 and stuck a vengeful knife into both Ancelotti and Abramovich. A draw at Blackburn five days later left Chelsea third and the season in danger of collapse before a gift from "heaven" - in truth a madcap moment by David James at Fratton Park - proved the turning point. Suddenly, the swagger was back, Joe Cole's heel-flick and Didier Drogba's offside clincher at Old Trafford catapulting Chelsea above Manchester United for a lead they never let slip, while the home form either side of the summer saw the Blues score 39 league goals without replay on their own soil before Sunderland came calling in November. May saw champagne times two, the title - won by scoring eight past Wigan - followed by a more narrow, nervy FA Cup triumph over relegated Portmouth as a penalty miss - this time by Kevin Prince Boateng - again haunted Avram Grant. The expectation was of a summer spending spree, improving from a position of strength. Instead, Ancelotti sanctioned the departures of Cole, Michael Ballack, Deco, Juliano Belletti and, crucially, Ricardo Carvalho, with only Yossi Benayoun and Ramires coming in. It looked a dangerous policy, although not as Chelsea flew out of the blocks, scoring goals for fun as they racked up a staggering 21 in five games by the time they arrived at Eastlands on September 25. Since then, as injuries, suspensions and even malaria have struck, denying Ancelotti the services of Frank Lampard, Benayoun, Terry, Alex, Essien and Drogba, it has been a different story. Four defeats - and just four wins - in 13 games, 23 points dropped out of 39 and the heat was on before the narrow victory over Bolton took some of the heat out of the situation. That win was celebrated like it was the Second Coming. Only at Chelsea. And you know there is more to come. It is never quiet at Cobham or the Bridge. It's simply a matter of waiting for the next major incident to come along. Like London buses, it surely will.
Wayne Rooney: I was wrong to challenge Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Wayne Rooney has admitted he was wrong to demand assurances over Manchester United's ambition and described his World Cup campaign as a ‘disaster' in a remarkably candid review of his nightmare year.
Ambitions: Rooney has said he would like to become a manager at the end of his playing career Photo: ACTION
Rooney, who begins 2011 against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday searching for his first goal in open play for United since last March, appears to be approaching form once again after seeing 2010 ruined by injury, lurid off-field revelations and his acrimonious contract stand-off at Old Trafford.
But the England forward has admitted that the draining effects of his life in the spotlight has also become an increasingly difficult burden to carry.
The 25-year-old ultimately pledged his long-term future to United in October after threatening to leave due to concerns over the club's ability to compete for honours.
But having been persuaded to stay by Sir Alex Ferguson and United's owners, the Glazer family, Rooney now claims that he had no right to question the direction of the club.
Rooney, in an MUTV interview with former United midfielder Paddy Crerand, said: "Towards the end, when it all came out [that he wouldn‘t renew his contract], it did look like it had gone too far.
"I went in to see the manager and David Gill and explained [his reasons] and basically asked for answers really. "But looking back now, it really was nothing to do with me. I just wanted to make sure that signing was the right thing to do and I got the answers in the end. But it was probably wrong of me to do that. I'm just glad it got sorted and that it's all over now." With Manchester City understood to be ready to lure Rooney to Eastlands, the week-long contract stalemate stoked tensions among the United supporters, with a small group of hooded fans arriving at Rooney's house warning of the consequences of a move across the Mancunian divide. Rooney admits that the scene was ‘intimidating,' but insists he had already made up his mind to stay by the time the mob descended on his home. "With my wife and kid in the house it was just a bit intimidating, but it got calmed down." Rooney said. "I looked out and there was about 30 there all with hoods up, but there was no harm done. I think they wanted me to invite them in! "But that night, I'd spoken with the Glazers, the manager and David Gill. They called me to speak to me and just said the club was going to carry on moving forward and being successful. "From there, I phoned my agent and organised a meeting with David Gill. Then I went training the next day and it took two hours to negotiate it. "We still [the Rooney family] go to Liverpool four times a week so she [wife Coleen] is delighted I've stayed because we're close to our families. I don't think she'd have fancied going a long way. "People said I was odds on to go to Man City. That was never the case. There was no way I'd have gone there, but I know I've made the right decision. I've made myself happy." Although 2010 ultimately became the most turbulent year in Rooney's career, it began in spectacular fashion with the player scoring 19 goals in 18 games between New Year's Day and March 30 - the night he suffered an ankle injury against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. From that point on, Rooney's year descended on a downward spiral and, having been billed as a potential star of the World Cup, he endured a miserable campaign in South Africa as he failed to score in England's four games and also criticised supporters for booing during the 0-0 draw against Algeria in Cape Town. But Rooney insists that he went into the World Cup fully fit, despite concerns over the state of his ankle. "Before I met up with England, I wasn't really right." Rooney said. "But I trained in every session with England before the World Cup and I felt fit. "There was no problem with my ankle, but the World Cup was obviously a disaster. We were training well and everything seemed good. There was talk of trouble in the camp, but everyone was fine and there was no trouble. "But in the games we were terrible really and we just didn't get going in the tournament. "People say that the players don't care, but the players that were there all seemed to care and it does hurt. If we don't win it [the World Cup], there's always going to be disappointment, but we weren't good enough." Rooney remains unrepentant over his decision to hit back at fans for booing during the group game against Algeria, however. He said: "Of course you feel sorry for the fans. It's all the emotion of not doing well, but for the players, when you have fans booing after ten minutes - that's what I was saying. "You can understand it in the last ten minutes, but from the first ten minutes? That's disappointing because, if the fans are behind us 100 per cent and giving you the atmosphere to kick things on, that can really help you." In a year when Ferguson claimed that Rooney was struggling to deal with the "exhausting" side-effects of life in the spotlight, the player himself describes the focus on him as "horrible". "I hate it [the intrusion] and I wouldn't wish it on anyone." Rooney said. "I signed my new deal and went off to Dubai and there were 10 reporters kicked out of the hotel. "They were sat on sun-beds next to us. They had holes in their newspapers, pretending to read them and taking pictures. It was a horrible time."
Wayne Rooney: I was wrong to challenge Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Wayne Rooney has admitted he was wrong to demand assurances over Manchester Uniteds ambition and described his World Cup campaign as a disaster in a remarkably candid review of his nightmare year.
Ambitions: Rooney has said he would like to become a manager at the end of his playing career Photo: ACTION
Rooney, who begins 2011 against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday searching for his first goal in open play for United since last March, appears to be approaching form once again after seeing 2010 ruined by injury, lurid off-field revelations and his acrimonious contract stand-off at Old Trafford.
But the England forward has admitted that the draining effects of his life in the spotlight has also become an increasingly difficult burden to carry.
The 25-year-old ultimately pledged his long-term future to United in October after threatening to leave due to concerns over the clubs ability to compete for honours.
But having been persuaded to stay by Sir Alex Ferguson and Uniteds owners, the Glazer family, Rooney now claims that he had no right to question the direction of the club.
Rooney, in an MUTV interview with former United midfielder Paddy Crerand, said: Towards the end, when it all came out [that he wouldnt renew his contract], it did look like it had gone too far.
I went in to see the manager and David Gill and explained [his reasons] and basically asked for answers really. But looking back now, it really was nothing to do with me. I just wanted to make sure that signing was the right thing to do and I got the answers in the end. But it was probably wrong of me to do that. Im just glad it got sorted and that its all over now. With Manchester City understood to be ready to lure Rooney to Eastlands, the week-long contract stalemate stoked tensions among the United supporters, with a small group of hooded fans arriving at Rooneys house warning of the consequences of a move across the Mancunian divide. Rooney admits that the scene was intimidating, but insists he had already made up his mind to stay by the time the mob descended on his home. With my wife and kid in the house it was just a bit intimidating, but it got calmed down. Rooney said. I looked out and there was about 30 there all with hoods up, but there was no harm done. I think they wanted me to invite them in! But that night, I'd spoken with the Glazers, the manager and David Gill. They called me to speak to me and just said the club was going to carry on moving forward and being successful. From there, I phoned my agent and organised a meeting with David Gill. Then I went training the next day and it took two hours to negotiate it. We still [the Rooney family] go to Liverpool four times a week so she [wife Coleen] is delighted I've stayed because we're close to our families. I don't think she'd have fancied going a long way. People said I was odds on to go to Man City. That was never the case. There was no way I'd have gone there, but I know I've made the right decision. I've made myself happy. Although 2010 ultimately became the most turbulent year in Rooneys career, it began in spectacular fashion with the player scoring 19 goals in 18 games between New Years Day and March 30 - the night he suffered an ankle injury against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. From that point on, Rooneys year descended on a downward spiral and, having been billed as a potential star of the World Cup, he endured a miserable campaign in South Africa as he failed to score in Englands four games and also criticised supporters for booing during the 0-0 draw against Algeria in Cape Town. But Rooney insists that he went into the World Cup fully fit, despite concerns over the state of his ankle. Before I met up with England, I wasnt really right. Rooney said. But I trained in every session with England before the World Cup and I felt fit. There was no problem with my ankle, but the World Cup was obviously a disaster. We were training well and everything seemed good. There was talk of trouble in the camp, but everyone was fine and there was no trouble. But in the games we were terrible really and we just didnt get going in the tournament. People say that the players dont care, but the players that were there all seemed to care and it does hurt. If we dont win it [the World Cup], theres always going to be disappointment, but we werent good enough. Rooney remains unrepentant over his decision to hit back at fans for booing during the group game against Algeria, however. He said: Of course you feel sorry for the fans. Its all the emotion of not doing well, but for the players, when you have fans booing after ten minutes - thats what I was saying. You can understand it in the last ten minutes, but from the first ten minutes? Thats disappointing because, if the fans are behind us 100 per cent and giving you the atmosphere to kick things on, that can really help you. In a year when Ferguson claimed that Rooney was struggling to deal with the "exhausting" side-effects of life in the spotlight, the player himself describes the focus on him as "horrible". I hate it [the intrusion] and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Rooney said. I signed my new deal and went off to Dubai and there were 10 reporters kicked out of the hotel. They were sat on sun-beds next to us. They had holes in their newspapers, pretending to read them and taking pictures. It was a horrible time.
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