Fergie Says After Manchester United He Is Finished For Good So Forget The Olympics

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had informal talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Lord Coe, chairman of the 2012 organising committee, last year over the possibility of spearheading a bid for gold on home soil but Ferguson has confirmed he has no interest in a career in international football.

''No. I won't turn to international management, 'When I've finished here, I think I deserve a rest. After here, I'm finished."

There is a chance that GB wont even enter a team anyway because Scotland have some kind of problem playing alongside England. Not that it is too likely many Scots will be picked anyway given the stregth in depth of England. Wales and Northern Ireland have also been fearing that making a combined side for the Olympics could jeopardise their position within FIFA.

But just last month, when asked at a Downing Street press conference what he wanted for Christmas, Brown said: ''That we have an Olympics team for the 2012 Olympics that is a football team from Britain."

Brown also suggested the involvement of Ferguson could help to bring the Scots on board, adding: ''Sebastian Coe and I have talked to Alex Ferguson about the possibility that he might want to be the manager. I think there is a way around this problem, and I think the way around this problem can be found if people can get round the table and discuss it.''

Earlier last year, however, Ferguson, 67, insisted that he was too old to guarantee his involvement.

''I'll be 70 then, so I don't need any commitment to anything like that, 'I would not, in any way, shape or form try to commit myself to anything like that four years away. 'I'm not sure they would allow it [the GB Team] anyway, because countries have their own identity.''

I agree with Fergie. After all he has achieved, surely he doesn't need the aggravation of guiding England/GB through an Olympic campaign. Go home Fergie and put your feet up, you've earned it.....Back To Home Page...

Darren Gibson Saying "No" To A Loan Move

Darron Gibson has ruled out moving away on-loan from Manchester United saying "I'm just going to bide my time and hopefully the chance comes and I can take it. There were a few injuries at the start of the season so I think the boss was a bit wary of players going out on loan in those positions. I stayed and hopefully the chances will keep coming. Although I am not playing a lot, I'm happy training with the first team as they are the best players in the world. I'm still learning a lot and still improving as a player."

Gibson played junior football in the Derry and District League, and then with Institute FC before joining Manchester United in 2004. He made his senior debut for United on 26 Oct 2005 in a League Cup game against Barnet, coming on as a substitute for Lee Martin. During the 2005-06 season he played regularly for Manchester United Reserves. helping them win a treble. He made 19 appearances, scoring twice. In May 2006, he won the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Award as United's youth player of the year and then played regularly for the United senior team during their pre-season summer games. Together with Dong Fangzhuo, Jonny Evans, Fraizer Campbell and Danny Simpson, he was one of several United players who spent the 2006-07 season on loan at Royal Antwerp. In October 2007, he was loaned out again, this time to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he spent the majority of the 2007-08 season. He made his Premiership debut on 15 November 2008, appearing as a second half substitute against Stoke City.

Together with Tony Kane, Micheal O'Connor and Marc Wilson, Gibson is one of several Northern Irish footballers, involved in an on going dispute between the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland over international eligibility. The dispute emerged after the Good Friday Agreement allowed people born in Northern Ireland to claim either Republic of Ireland and/or United Kingdom nationality. As a result, Gibson has been selected to represent both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at international level.....
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Rio Praises Jonny Evans

Sir Alex has frequently been heard singing the praises of Jonny Evans, even declaring him as a future replacement for Rio Ferdinand despite his young age and his relative inexperience with first team action. Now Rio Ferdinand himself has spoken out in favour of him.

The 20-year-old Northern Ireland defender impressed while on loan at Sunderland last season and has been a regular member of the United matchday squad this term.

Ferdinand told the club's official website: "Jonny is a top, top player. A few managers wanted to buy him in the summer, so that tells you what a good prospect he is. At Sunderland last season he was probably one of their better players. He's good with both feet, he's playing for Northern Ireland and he'll probably be their captain in the near future. You can see why the manager fought so hard to keep him and to make sure Jonny realises his future is here at Old Trafford. He'll have a major part to play in the coming years. The manager will just make sure Jonny trains hard and takes the best bits from all the players he works with and brings it to his own game. He's looked assured each time he's been called upon this season and I'm sure that will continue." .....Back To Home Page

Partizan Belgrade Clear Manchester United Of Any Wrong Doing

Partizan Belgrade have denied that talented teenager Adem Ljajic has linked up with Manchester United against their will. Which is a bit of a shot in the eye for the accusers, our beloved Real Madrid. They were casting aspertions about United's approach for Adem, which has now been confirmed as bull excrement by Partizan themselves !!

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to secure the midfielder on trial after being tipped off on his potential by scout Budimir Vujacic.

With the 17-year-old elaborately dubbed 'The Little Kaka' in some quarters, it was surprising that United had managed to steal a march on his many admirers by acting so swiftly. However, Partizan have insisted they did not expect him to return to Belgrade after an Under-19 international match in Northern Ireland and gave full permission to United to run the rule over the player.

Darko Gubor, the club secretary for Partizan told nogomet.com "It is not true that Ljajic went to England without permission, we have been in contact with Manchester United for some time now and Ljajic was with the international team in Britain at this moment so it was handy for him to go on trial now. We want to co-operate with Manchester United and this is only the first step. I repeat Ljajic went to Manchester with Partizan's permission and all I can say regarding his potential move to United is that he is still a very young player who is at the beginning of his career."

Ljajic, who has impressed in a right-wing role, will spend a few days with the United youth set-up after helping Serbia hammer England 4-1 in the Under-19 European Championship qualifiers in Newry on Monday night and also defeating Northern Ireland 3-1 in the competition.....Back To Home Page

Manchester United Legend Joins Foyle Wanderers

FORMER Northern Ireland and Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside is to join Foyle Wanderers Football Club in 2009.

The big striker has agreed terms and will join the Wanderers as guest speaker at their 30th anniversary dinner to be held in the Everglades Hotel in April next year. The Tyrone Club, who reformed in 1979, have been an ever present in North West football since and are delighted to have Norman back, who, on retiring at the young age of 26, began a long academic slog that took him to university.

Wanderers are keen the function will be as much a reunion as an anniversary when players and members alike, both past and present will get the chance to renew old acquaintances at what should be a great evening....Back To Home Page>

Jonny Evans Doubtful For Northern Ireland's World Cup Qualifier

Jonny Evans is doubtful for Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifying game against Slovenia on Saturday.
The Manchester United defender is suffering from a virus and did not travel with the squad on Wednesday.

Evans may yet join up with the rest of the panel and manager Nigel Worthington is monitoring his situation.Goalkeeper Maik Taylor has a bout of flu and has not trained with the squad but did travel to Slovenia and is confident that he will be fit to play.

"Maik has had the flu for a few days now but should be ok," said the Northern Ireland manager."I spoke to Jonny on Wednesday morning and he still doesn't feel great but I'm hoping he will fly out and join us before Saturday's game. In an ideal world, we would like him to be out with us on Wednesday night but we will have to see how he feels."

Evans' absence would be a huge blow to Northern Ireland as he has earned rave reviews for his recent performances in an international shirt, most particularly against the Czech Republic last month.....Back To Home Page