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Madferret
8-26-05, 4:45 PM
Couldn't find a specific thread to post EPL related info sooo...
Van der Meyde set to join Everton
Inter Milan's Dutch international winger Andy van der Meyde has agreed terms on a ?2m move to Everton. Everton officials flew to Milan after the Champions League clash with Villarreal to thrash out a deal for the talented 25-year-old.
He has fallen out of favour at the San Siro after coming to prominence as a youngster at Ajax. Van der Meyde wants regular action to ensure he stays in Holland's squad ahead of the World Cup.
Everton boss David Moyes said: "Van der Meyde is coming in for a medical and we will see how it goes."
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39976000/jpg/_39976634_vandermeyde203.jpg
Quality transfer for Everton..
Madferret
8-27-05, 11:12 AM
lol
Baros has got one 11 minutes into his 'Villa career...
CDN boy P. Stalteri is playing well against Chelsea, I wonder if he's a little start stcuk out there? Who watched the WBA / BIR game this AM?
Who watched the WBA / BIR game this AM?
If it isn't United or a matchup I anticipate to be a really good one, I don't watch the early games. Too early for my liking.
Madferret
8-27-05, 11:59 AM
If it isn't United or a matchup I anticipate to be a really good one, I don't watch the early games. Too early for my liking.
United / Maggies on TheScore tommorow at 11 am I believe...
The WBA / Birm game was a 5 goal thriller Andy, no means a classic but fun to watch..
My boy Horsfield with 2 :)
Madferret
8-28-05, 10:12 PM
Newcastle 0-2 Man Utd
Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a goal apiece as Manchester United overcame Newcastle. England striker Rooney lashed home the opener after pouncing on Jean-Alain Boumsong's error in the 66th minute.
Albert Luque thought he had scored on his Newcastle debut but his goal was ruled out for offside. Van Nistelrooy glanced a header wide and had a penalty appeal turned down before sealing the victory with a low shot in injury time.
Newcastle put new signing Luque straight into the side, placing him in a three-pronged strike force alongside Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer. And the Spaniard quickly made an impact, unsuccessfully appealing for a penalty after colliding with John O'Shea early on.
On 13 minutes, Luque thought he had made a dream start to his Newcastle career when he put the ball in the net after Shearer's shot was saved by Edwin van der Sar. Newcastle's three-man midfield was coping well, particularly against a slightly out-of-sorts Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal winger did break through once, but was thwarted by Shay Given who rushed out of his goal to block smartly. Emre was forced off after 23 minutes when he tore his hamstring and Newcastle were forced into reshuffling their line-up as want-away midfielder Jermaine Jenas came on. But a strangely subdued Manchester United could not take advantage, finding Newcastle, who had by now replaced Dyer with Shola Ameobi, a stubborn opponent.
However, Newcastle did not look like scoring their first goal of the season and in turn becoming the first team to breach Manchester United's defence this term. And neither did the hosts look like conceding. So it continued after the break.
As did the procession of injured Newcastle players leaving the field as Bowyer limped off to leave one original member of the starting midfield remaining. Van Nistelrooy should have opened the scoring when O'Shea delivered a superb cross from the right, but the Dutchman glanced his header wide.
It served as a warning for Newcastle as Manchester United tried to increase the tempo. Then a lapse in concentration from Boumsong allowed Rooney to nip ahead of him and collect Van der Sar's long kick before rifling the ball home.
Moments later, Ronaldo looked as though he was hauled back by Stephen Carr when he was through on goal but the referee deemed otherwise. If United were unhappy with that decision, they soon had another contentious one to ponder when Van Nistelrooy tumbled in the area under challenge from Given and was booked for diving.
But the Dutchman did finally register when he converted Rooney's cross in injury time to secure a victory which leaves Newcastle second-bottom of the table.
http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/02/88/nufc_mufc_2005_01.jpg
Rooney 2, Baggies 0 is more like it. What a performance by Wayne. Made one from nothing, charged the flank of the pitch and fed our boy Ruud for the other. Quality. Glory Glory..
http://www.kilbarrackscp.com/images/man_u_crest.jpg
Rooney = King. Imagine him in a few more years. :eek:
Another clean sheet for United. As impressive as 'Roo has been, it's the backline's performance thus far that as me really excited about this season. Too many soft goals last year lead to far too many dropped points. Chelsea is once again finding those early victories by the narrowest of margins. We need to continue to do the same if we want our trophy back.
Madferret
8-30-05, 6:56 PM
Owen returns to England
NEWCASTLE, England (AP-CP) -- England striker Michael Owen joined Newcastle from Real Madrid on Tuesday in a move that will team him up with former England captain Alan Shearer.
Owen, 25, discussed a return to Liverpool, the team he joined as an 11-year-old, before deciding to play for the Magpies. It appears Newcastle's bid was too rich for Liverpool. Owen opted to leave Madrid because it has a glut of strikers and he wants to play regularly in the buildup to next year's World Cup. He scored 16 goals last season in Spain but failed to win a regular first-team place.
The club did not reveal the transfer fee, but said it exceeded the club record 15 million pounds ($32.2 million Cdn) it paid for Shearer in 1996. British reports pegged the fee at 17 million pounds ($36.5 million Cdn).
The sale is good business for Madrid, which bought Owen from Liverpool a year ago for eight million pounds ($17.2 million Cdn). Midfielder Antonio Nunez went to Liverpool as part of the deal. Owen agreed to a four-year deal with Newcastle, although the Liverpool Echo reported on its website that the contract included a 12-million-pound ($25.5 million Cdn) escape clause next summer.
Owen may shed light on his choice of Newcastle at a news conference Wednesday at St. James' Park. "He's someone who can become a legend with Newcastle United fans," manager Graeme Souness was quoted on the Newcastle website. "In football, the hardest thing to get in your team is someone who puts the ball in the back of the net and Michael is the best at doing that for England.
"I can understand people who liken it to the signing of Alan Shearer as Michael is the current England No. 9. I'd say it's the biggest transfer I've been involved in as a manager of any football club."
At Madrid last season, Owen was third choice behind Raul Gonzalez and Ronaldo and was pushed further back down the line this summer when the Spanish side brought in Brazilian forwards Julio Baptista and Robinho.
Owen will wear the No. 10 shirt in Newcastle and play alongside Shearer, who was his strike partner at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. Shearer, 35, retired from international soccer after Euro 2000 and was due to finish his career at the end of last season before agreeing to stay on at St. James' Park.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was quick to applaud Owen's move. "It's a great partnership. Michael Owen will score goals for them and it's great that he can play together with Shearer," said Eriksson. "He's a big target man, good header, and he will give Michael many chances to score. I'm sure about that."
Eriksson said he gave Owen some advice before the move but wouldn't divulge what it was. "As long as it makes Michael Owen happy it's good news for England and for me," the England coach said. "Great club, fantastic that he will play regular football, more regularly than he did last season."
Newcastle (0-3-1) needs a boost. It is next to last in the English Premier League standings after four games and is the only team yet to score. Owen's arrival should help -- he scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool, his first club. He also has 32 goals for England in 71 appearances.
Souness has struggled to find the right partner for Shearer, trying out Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert before discarding them. He has recently bought Albert Luque from Deportivo de La Coruna but the Spaniard is likely to be a backup to the Shearer-Owen partnership or else play in a support role.
Two rounds of World Cup qualifying games means there is a break in the Premier League schedule until Sept. 10, so Newcastle won't be able to introduce him to the media as a Magpies player until late next week.
Ironically, the Newcastle team is currently training in Spain during the international break. Owen scored more goals against Newcastle than any other team, but never played under current Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who sold him shortly after taking over.
Benitez opted to buy Peter Crouch, a fledgling English striker, during the off-season. He already has forwards Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Florent Sinama Pongolle and elected to sell striker Milan Baros to Aston Villa recently.
The Reds manager has said his priority was buying a central defender and winger. While Newcastle has endured a long drought, it is one of the biggest clubs in England and has a fanatical following known as the Toon Army. Its stadium, St. James' Park, is the second biggest in the league, with more than 52,000 seats.
Madrid's director of soccer, Arrigo Sacchi, said he was sad to see Owen leave but understood his reasons. "He's now a player for the English club. We're saying this with disappointment because we have lost a great professional, a first-class player and a person who is always positive," Sacchi said.
"Real Madrid has always been happy with him and we thank him for what he has done here. We wish him all the luck in the future. He asked to leave because this is World Cup year and here he wasn't always going to play. We didn't want to loan him out and only when a big offer arrived did we accept his transfer."
Madrid may use the proceeds from the sale to fund a bid for Sevilla's 19-year-old right back Sergio Ramos, Spanish media reported in recent days. At Newcastle, Owen joins new signings Scott Parker, Emre and Albert Luque.
...
Oh the Mighty Magpie are going to rock .
Middlesbrough 2-1 Arsenal :eek:
Birmingham 0-1 Charlton
Chelsea 2-0 Sunderland
Everton 0-1 Portsmouth
Man Utd 1-1 Man City :eek:
Newcastle 1-1 Fulham
West Brom 1-2 Wigan
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool :curse::mad:
Sunday, 11 September 2005
Bolton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/default.stm) v Blackburn (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/default.stm), 16:00
Monday, 12 September 2005
West Ham (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/default.stm) v Aston Villa (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/default.stm), 20:00
Middlesbrough 2-1 Arsenal :eek:
Man Utd 1-1 Man City :eek:
You used the wrong smilie for the Arsenal score. It should be :burning:
City usually manage to draw or beat United. I was going for a City win. My predictions this week were all off.
Madferret
9-13-05, 12:19 PM
Injured Henry faces six weeks out
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that Thierry Henry's groin injury may keep him sidelined for six weeks. Henry picked up the injury playing for France last week.
The 28-year-old Gunners captain, who missed the 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday, may be ruled out of eight Premiership and Champions League games.
It was intially thought he would face a four-week lay-off and Wenger said: "It may be four but I am counting six and then I can only have a good surprise. "Ideally, we would like Thierry to be with us as he is a world-class player."
Wenger added: "But I feel it is a good opportunity for the younger players, such as Robin van Persie, Jose Antonio Reyes and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie to show how good they are." Henry suffered the injury on international duty with France last week.
He is not available for Wednesday's Champions League opener at home to FC Thun and may miss the trips to Ajax and Sparta Prague.
He is also set to be ruled out of the Premiership games against Everton, West Ham and Birmingham - and possibly West Brom and Manchester City. And he may also be sidelined for the Carling Cup third round and France's final two World Cup qualifying games.
"The injury has come and gone since last season," Henry told The Sun on Monday. "When we were playing one match a week right at the start of the season it was not so bad. "But now it is a game at the weekend and a game in the week. I have noticed the difference and the groin has become more painful.
"I knew my body was not right and I just have to rest. I do not want to copy what I did last season when I played on with an injury." That Achilles tendon injury led to Henry missing the end of last season - including the FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
Wenger better get active when the TW re-opens...
Canucklehead
9-18-05, 2:46 PM
Tough break for Man U.
Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his left foot.
Keane played for 89 minutes of the goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield before being replaced by Ryan Giggs.
But the Irishman is reported to have broken the third metatarsal in his left foot and could be out for up to two months.
It was not immediately clear when Keane had picked up the injury.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had sprung a surprise by naming him in his side after a quicker-than-expected recovery from a hamstring injury.
United were this week rocked by the news that Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze would be out for most of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
For a game that ended in a draw the Manchester United - Liverpool game was exciting.
I counted at least 4 hand balls that the officals missed, I think they need to replace their contacts.
Keane is a great player but karma is karma and the way he plays he deserves the injury.
Rooney is a great player but I have to wonder if his attitude has made the officials ignore some calls agaisnt oppossing teams?? I counted at least 3 that should have been called today. Refs need to have short memories.
Wenger better get active when the TW re-opens...
No kidding! Henry has been injured quite a bit over the past 2 years. Reyes and RVP are good players though and do quite well when Henry is injured.
For a game that ended in a draw the Manchester United - Liverpool game was exciting. Yes it was exciting. There were few chances to score, but the pace in the open pitch made the game fun to watch, even if it was 0 - 0. Ruud probably had the best chances with his floater that just went over the bar. Missing out on two points hurts, especially considering that Chelsea is running away with the table again.
I'm glad The Score has picked up these Sunday morning games.
Madferret
9-24-05, 2:14 PM
Bah...PHA-Q Blackburn. :curse:
Good day point wise though for the 'WonderBalls...
Arsenal is officially 'now a middle' of the pack squad...Wow.
Chelsea...just take the EPL Trophy already, no-one's impressed anymore.
It's Champions League winners or bust for Chelsea IMO.
baad day for goonergirlie. Arsenal is just plain awful this year.
EPL News (http://www.4thegame.com/matchcentre/premiership/reports/177504/liverpool-fc-vs-chelsea-fc.html)
Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in an almost immediate rematch of their midweek Champions League goalless draw on Merseyside.
The Reds had the better of Wednesday evening's encounter, being denied at least one obvious penalty by referee De Santis.
PETER CROUCH Afterwards, Rafa Benitez commented: "I felt it was a good game, we played with a high tempo and tried to win.
"The most important thing was that we showed that in one game we can be better than Chelsea and I felt we were just that." Benitez paired Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse in attack in a change of formation against the Blues, with Luis Garcia restored to a role on the right side of midfield.
EA SPORTS FIFA 06 brings 'Total Football' to your fingertips. Attacking gameplay, complete customisation, pure authenticity and the deepest manager mode ever... The effectiveness of midfield trio Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Didi Hamann in stifling Chelsea may tempt Benitez to stick with that set-up for Sunday.
On the left flank, Benitz has a choice of Djimi Taore, Stephen Warnock or John Arne Riise in defence, while Bolo Zenden will be hoping for a recall after missing out in midweek.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was less satisfied after the two sides clashed in European competition, the Blues failing to win for the first time this season.
EA SPORTS FIFA 06 brings 'Total Football' to your fingertips. Attacking gameplay, complete customisation, pure authenticity and the deepest manager mode ever... He said after the stalemate: "I am not 100 per cent satisfied, more disappointed. I am not crazy with happiness nor am I sick either. It was competitive and the result was very close." In the Premiership, Chelsea have had few problems in starting off with seven wins out of seven, conceding just one goal in the process.
Summer additions Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Essien have fitted in well, while left-backs Asier del Horno and Wayne Bridge both featured in a midweek reserve clash with Norwich City and could come into contention.
Last season both league clashes between the two teams ended in 1-0 victories for Chelsea, with England midfielder Joe Cole the matchwinner on both occasions.
Canucklehead
10-02-05, 1:19 PM
Chelsea 4 Liverpool 1
Hyypia sucks.
Madferret
10-02-05, 1:33 PM
Chelsea 4 Liverpool 1
Hyypia sucks.
You watch it?
Canucklehead
10-02-05, 1:37 PM
You watch it?
Yes I did.
Edit: And in case you're getting at it, I know Hyypia wasn't the only problem. However, he has consistently disspointed me and I felt like expressing that in two words or less.
Madferret
10-02-05, 4:19 PM
Yes I did.
Edit: And in case you're getting at it, I know Hyypia wasn't the only problem. However, he has consistently disspointed me and I felt like expressing that in two words or less.
Maybe he was spurred on by Rio's performance at the cottage yesterday. Did you see that one? Now that was awefull. Rio's lucky RVN buckets goals..
I expected a different result :curse:
Middlesbrough 4 Manchester United 1. Its official, the world of english football is upside down!
You can say that again. Look at the top 3 teams, none of them belong there.
Madferret
11-08-05, 2:29 PM
Man United in the market
MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he will buy during the January transfer window with several of his experienced players out injured.
United, which recovered from a mini-slump to beat Chelsea 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, is fourth in the Premier League, 10 points behind leader Chelsea. The injury-plagued club will like to add some bodies during the upcoming transfer window.
"I'm happy with the quality we have but we're relying too much on our younger players at a time when we're missing the experience of Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Gabriel Heinze," Ferguson said Tuesday.
"What I will be looking to do is increase the squad in January, but you have to dismiss the possibility of getting players from clubs who think they can win the Champions League.
"That narrows down your options but we're playing the numbers game right now. It's actually numbers we're lacking, so that's what we'll be looking at in the transfer window."
Mid & backs please Fergie..
Madferret
11-18-05, 10:06 AM
Keane leaves Manchester United
The Canadian Press
MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Captain Roy Keane left Manchester United on Friday, two weeks after he lambasted his teammates in an interview so scathing the club refused to broadcast it.
The 34-year-old midfielder had his contract cancelled by mutual consent, leaving him free to join another club, United said in a statement on its website.
Keane had already said he expected to leave the club when his contract expired at the end of the season. The volatile Irishman joined United in 1993 and until recently it was assumed he would end his career with the team.
Keane had long been regarded as a spokesman for manager Sir Alex Ferguson, helping discipline players and communicate the coach's instructions. However, the interview with the club's in-house television station, in which he singled out players for criticism, may have proved too much.
"At all times I have endeavoured to do my best for the management and the team," Keane said. "Whilst it is a sad day for me to leave such a great club and manager, I believe that the time has now come for me to move on."
Famous for his abrasive personality and refusal to tolerate those who failed to live up to his own high standards, Keane also quit international soccer suddenly. On the eve of the 2002 World Cup finals, he walked out of the Ireland squad after criticizing training facilities and cursing manager Mick McCarthy.
Although he returned to the team after McCarthy departed, he retired for a second time last month when Ireland failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals.
One of the best midfielders in the world at his peak, Keane's tough tackling, neat passing and ability to score crucial goals helped United win seven Premier League titles and four FA Cups.
His most notable performance came in the second leg of the 1999 Champions League semifinal at Juventus. He inspired United to rally from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and advance, even though he had a yellow card that he knew would rule him out of the final.
"The best midfield player in the world of his generation, he is already one of the great figures in our clubs illustrious history," Ferguson said. "Roy has been central to the success of the club in the last 12? years and everyone at Old Trafford wishes him well in the rest of his career and beyond."
Keane joined United from Nottingham Forest for a then British record 3.75 million pounds ($7.6 million Cdn) as a replacement for former England captain Bryan Robson.
He became captain in 1997 when Eric Cantona retired, despite having received several red cards for on-field violence and malicious tackles.
Although his appearances have been limited over recent seasons because of injuries - including cruciate ligament damage that kept him out for a year through August 1998 - Keane remained a crucial part of the squad.
In 2000, Keane said he wanted to end his career with Celtic, although he later signed a contract committing him to United until June 2006.
Keano, nooooooo...
I had a feeling this was coming. Fungus face has been singing his praises for the last 2 days. I will miss Keane because he is one player that tells it like it is. I have heard stirrings that the Glazers don't like him because he spoke out against them.
I hope Arsenal pick him up we need sombody to lead the team, Henry isn't a good captain. Keano would add spark to the squad.
Madferret
12-15-05, 2:35 PM
Keane completes switch to Celtic
Roy Keane has ended weeks of speculation and completed his move to Celtic by signing an 18-month deal. The 34-year-old Irishman, who ended his Manchester United career in November, had interested several Premiership clubs and Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But, as he was unveiled at Celtic Park, Keane said: "I gave other clubs a chance and was impressed with them all.
"But it's a great move for me. I feel that this is where I belong and I'm here to work hard and win games."
Keane had appeared close to joining Real only days ago, while Bolton, Everton, West Brom and West Ham were among other clubs to express their interest.
And he revealed that he had still been mulling over his decision up until his arrival in Glasgow for talks on Wednesday.
"I've been in the Premiership for a long time and feel I have proved myself there and needed a different environment, different teams, different grounds," said Keane, who had in 1999 said that he would like to end his career at Celtic Park.
"Every boy in Ireland has an interest in Celtic, although my English team at the time was Spurs for some reason.
"I've been up to Celtic to watch a few games and always enjoyed my time here."
His move to Scotland comes after nearly 13 years under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and a well-documented falling-out with the club.
Keane was reported to have been critical of a number of his United team-mates in a MUTV programme that was pulled from the schedules because of its content.
But, stressing that he had been free of injury for a month, he said that he did not expect to walk straight into the Celtic team and rejected suggestions that he could be a disruptive influence in the dressing-room.
"This is not a financial move for me and I'm not coming here for an ego trip or to unwind," said Keane, whose deal is believed to be worth ?40,000 a week, about half what he was on at Old Trafford.
"I had an important role in front of the back four at United, but I might be given more licence to play here.
"I push myself hard in training and try to push others hard - and people seemed happy with that until a few weeks ago."
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell insists the whole club are behind the signing and rejected suggestions that Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond had personally bankrolled the signing.
"We are absolutely delighted - the board, the management and the players," he said.
"Dermot Desmond has been a fantastic supporter of this transaction.
"But, in terms of his support, that is where it started and ended. There is no financial contribution Dermot will make towards this deal."
Manager Gordon Strachan added: "He has proved over the last 15 years that he is a competitor.
"You can't get enough competitors in your squad and this was too good a chance to miss."
Keane will not be eligible to make his Celtic debut against Hearts at Tynecastle on New Year's Day as Scottish Premier League rules do not allow for players to be both registered and play on the first day of the new transfer window.
He will instead be aiming to face Clyde at Broadwood Stadium in the Scottish Cup third round the following weekend.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41125000/jpg/_41125852_keane203x270.jpg
Madferret
7-26-06, 12:37 PM
Madrid ups its Ruud offer
July 26, 2006
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Real Madrid has reportedly increased its offer for Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to 15 million euros ($21.5 million Cdn).
Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic's bid to United's chief executive David Gill on Tuesday was the club's final offer, sports daily As reported Wednesday.
Madrid's offer remains below United's 15-million-pound ($31.4 million Cdn) asking price.
A Madrid spokeswoman could not confirm the report.
The Spanish team is vying with Bayern Munich to sign the 30-year-old Dutchman, who asked to leave United after falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season.
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness said Tuesday his club had also lodged a new bid, said to be five million euros ($7.2 million Cdn) short of United's asking price.
However, Ferguson said this week he wouldn't object to van Nistelrooy being in his squad on opening day Aug. 20.
The striker, one of only eight players to score 150 goals for United, has impressed Ferguson on his return to training this week.
"At this moment in time Ruud is still a Manchester United player," Ferguson said. "Without question, he did very well in training yesterday. He showed a good attitude, which is good."
United signed van Nistelrooy in April 2001 for a then-British record fee of 19 million pounds ($39.8 million Cdn).
http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/soccer/van_nistelrooy_dutch_hor.jpg
Prediction, Ruud won't be leaving Man U. Him and Fergie will patch things up. Book it.. :no:
The thing is that Utd. don't need him. They have Rooney and Ronaldo as strikers. :rollover:
Madferret
7-26-06, 1:32 PM
The thing is that Utd. don't need him. They have Rooney and Ronaldo as strikers. :rollover:
We almost had Rooney and F Torres..:(
Darsehole Tucker
7-27-06, 9:08 AM
Van Nistelrooy to join Real Madrid
MADRID, Spain (AP) - Manchester United has agreed to sell striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid for 15 million euros ($21.6 million Cdn), Spanish radio station Cadena SER said Thursday.
Van Nistelrooy will reportedly sign a three-year contract and be presented at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Friday following a routine medical.
The transfer was concluded at midnight Wednesday after negotiations throughout the day between Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic and United's chief executive David Gill, the station said.
The 30-year-old Dutchman was set to arrive in the Spanish capital later Thursday and stay at the same hotel as Madrid's other recent signings - former Juventus players Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.
Van Nistelrooy, who will reportedly be paid an annual salary of five million euros ($7.2 million Cdn), would team up again with David Beckham, with whom he played at United from 2001 to 2003.
full story (http://www.tsn.ca/tsn/news_story.asp?id=172492)
I guess they aren't concerned about going with Rooney/Ronaldo.
Madferret
7-27-06, 12:32 PM
Not so fast..
Man Utd stand firm over Ruud fee
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists that Manchester United will hold out for what they believe is the right fee for want-away striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
United are believed to be demanding at least £15m for the 30-year-old, who has handed in a written transfer request.
Real Madrid made an improved bid of £10.3m and reports in Spain claim they have now had that offer accepted.
But Ferguson earlier told MUTV: "We know our value. If we are going to sell Ruud we should get the proper value."
Spanish radio station Cadena SER said on Thursday that a deal of just over £10m had been agreed between the two clubs and that the Dutchman would sign a three-year deal.
But that seems at odds with Ferguson's earlier comments that they would not allow the player to leave for below their value.
The United boss had said: "He is one of the best strikers in the country, one of the best strikers in Europe, so when you think about Andriy Shevchenko going for £35m - he is a similar age group."
Ukraine captain Shevchenko, 29, joined United's Premiership rivals Chelsea in May.
Real's new offer is believed to be a straight cash deal and Ferguson added: "I read it on teletext and I spoke to chief executive David Gill and nothing has really materially changed.
"They have slightly increased it but it is nothing really. An increase of about two bob or something.
"We know the value of the player so at the moment he is a Manchester United player."
Asked if both Real and Bayern were a long way from United's valuation, Ferguson stated: "Absolutely."
United signed Van Nistelrooy, who returned to training with the Red Devils on Monday, for £19m from PSV Eindhoven in 2001.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/5219384.stm)
Looks like he's gone:wave:
Ruud van Nistelrooy completed his move to Real Madrid last night as Sir Alex Ferguson climbed down from his £15 million transfer demand for the Dutch striker who he no longer wanted at the club.
Less than 24 hours after the Manchester United manager ridiculed Real's latest improved offer and insisted he would not stand down from his valuation, his club accepted Madrid's bid.
A statement released by United last night read: "We have given permission for Ruud van Nistelrooy to travel to Real Madrid for a medical. But the terms of agreement are yet to be finalised between the two clubs."
The deal is reported to be about 15 million - but in euros not pounds. That equates to about £10.3 million, but crucially it is understood that the fee will be guaranteed over the next two years, rather than based on add-ons and appearances, which would have introduced a large element of risk for the selling club.
That explains why United accepted Real's terms, rather than an offer from Bayern Munich, which was widely reported to be for about £11.6 million but, again, made up of conditional add-ons.
Despite Bayern's continued optimism Van Nistelrooy never concealed his strong desire to sign for Real Madrid rather than play in the Bundesliga.
Even as late as 7.30 last night, United's official website was carrying quotes from Ferguson insisting that his asking price be met or Van Nistelrooy would remain at Old Trafford. About an hour earlier, Real's own site had announced the signing.
Such events were interpreted by seasoned United watchers as being hugely significant and underlining the desperate need to add money and players at Old Trafford, something which can be done now that Real have injected hard cash into the club's coffers.
Tottenham's Michael Carrick looks likely to be the first addition to the United squad in a transfer that could rise to £14 million. He was withdrawn from Tottenham's pre-season friendly at Bishop's Stortford on Wednesday night as the clubs closed in on a deal, which should be concluded over the weekend.
But given the loss of fire power that has gone with Van Nistelrooy, a striker would appear to be a far more pressing issue, especially as Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres indicated this week that he has no desire to join United.
Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha have unquestionable pedigrees, but also histories of injury, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is recovering from a career-threatening injury and promising youngster Giuseppe Rossi is unproven at top club level.
Van Nistelrooy is due in Madrid early today, with a medical exam to follow soon after and a press conference scheduled for early evening, at which point he will be officially reunited with former team-mate David Beckham.
His departure marks a sad end to a successful Old Trafford career with Van Nistelrooy having scored 150 goals in 219 games since joining from PSV Eindhoven for a then-record £19 million in July 2001. However, his relationship with Ferguson deteriorated dramatically last season, especially after the manager dropped him for the Carling Cup final victory over Wigan.
linky (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2006/07/28/sfnman28.xml&DCMP=EMC-spo_28072006):wave:
Madferret
7-28-06, 2:01 AM
Oh Ruud boy, I could never cheer for you at the Bernabeu....
I guess I'm going to have to find another manure player to pick on this year.
Will it be the diving cheating Ronaldo or will it be his hot headed, partner Rooney.
Stay tuned .......
So long Ruud and thanks!:cry:
I really want Fernando Torres to come over to Man .Utd but he doesn't want to play here,why Torres why???:(
Welcome Michael Carrick!
Cheers
Either I'm wrong or this picture is!
http://images.fantasyleague.com/fast/prem0607/c4/images/homeimage.jpg
Anywho, channel 4 has opened their pool. Late as usual. Is there going to be a pool this year?
Channel4/ (http://channel4.fantasyleague.com/)
Madferret
8-22-06, 1:45 PM
Anywho, channel 4 has opened their pool. Late as usual. Is there going to be a pool this year?
It's about time.
League is up and created, league pin is 1554.
I'm in and my team has been made. Non Sponsored FC will be looking to make some noise in the league this year, assuming their manager checks in on them this time around to replace injured / benched players etc. :wave:
Ignore the manager name in the league boys, I always keyboard-mash for details like name, adress, telephone number, etc.
Either I'm wrong or this picture is!
http://images.fantasyleague.com/fast/prem0607/c4/images/homeimage.jpgOkay, so I guess it's safe to say that they've made up and all that stuff at the World Cup is behind them.
:coffee:
J.R.'s 66ers United are back! :boogie:
Canucklehead
8-27-06, 10:29 PM
I just joined the channel 4 league. So, um, prepare to lose, I guess.
Anyway, did anyone see the Arsenal game on Saturday? Unbelievable.
Anyway, did anyone see the Arsenal game on Saturday? Unbelievable.
I have no idea what you are talking about. ;) :cry:
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