Vidic insists he is fully committed to United

Nemanja Vidic has stressed his commitment to Manchester United and rejected rumours he is set to join Real Madrid this summer.

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Vidic insists he wants to remain at Manchester United

There has been growing speculation that Vidic could leave for Spain at the end of the season and Sir Alex Ferguson did little to dampen the speculation this week when he said: "A lot of clubs want to buy our players and we have to deal with that situation."

However, Vidic has completely rejected any suggestion he has made contact with any other clubs and insists he fully intends to see out his contract at Old Trafford.

"I repeat for the hundredth time: I have a contract with Manchester United until the summer of 2012 and I want to stay at Old Trafford until the last day," he told Vecernje Novosti. "The rest of the stories are without basis.

"I have made a career in Manchester and I respect that fully. No one has contacted me and I have not spoken to anyone."

He added: "There's been a lot of speculation. I don't know why people are discussing it. I haven't done an interview for three or four months and have not done one with the foreign media, and this isn't clever when there is talk like this."

Asked whether the silence had fuelled the rumours, he said: "Maybe, but I don't know who has got this idea and why they are discussing it every day. What I find interesting is that there are often different versions of the same story."

There have been rumours Ferguson is unhappy with his decision not to play against Leeds in January and AC Milan this week, but Vidic insists he has a good relationship with his manager.

"Anyone who knows anything about me knows that my attitude towards all my coaches is completely professional. There's no conflict, only a lot of respect - mutually. Never - genuinely never - is there conflict with Sir Alex."

Vidic has not featured for United since December but he believes he has now overcome his problems and is ready to return to action.

"I am healthy," he said. "I feel strong and I believe I can return in full. I think I will return to action very quickly and hopefully I will be back to my best as soon as I am picked in the starting line-up again."

*Taken from Soccernet.com

Rooney double rocks San Siro

Two second-half goals from in-form Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney installed last season's beaten finalists as favourites to book a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Not even the concession of a third-minute opener for AC Milan, created by David Beckham for Ronaldinho, could derail Sir Alex Ferguson's troops, although they were forced to endure some nervy moments at the end after Clarence Seedorf hauled Milan back into the tie five minutes from time with an audacious flicked finish.

It took a fortunate Paul Scholes effort to bring United level before the break. But after surviving another spell of Milan pressure after half-time, Rooney stamped his class on the contest, scoring his first two European goals of the season to take his overall tally to 25.

In United circles, the summer of 2003 has become famous for Beckham's exit from Old Trafford. Yet about a month after his move to Real Madrid was confirmed, there was an equally significant event involving Ronaldinho.

Ferguson was sure he had signed the Brazilian from Paris St Germain, convinced in his own mind every eventuality had been covered. It was with some annoyance - mostly directed at former chief executive Peter Kenyon - Ferguson learned Ronaldinho had in fact signed for Barcelona.

It took the former world footballer of the year just three minutes to remind Ferguson what he missed, after Beckham had done what everyone knows he can, produce an excellent set piece delivery.

Patrice Evra's acrobatic attempt to clear that one set Ronaldinho up, although Edwin van der Sar had the shot covered before it deflected off Michael Carrick and ended up in the opposite corner.

Milan dominated proceedings in the first period, their passing causing United to twist and turn.

Ronaldinho, Luca Antonini and Klaas Jan Huntelaar twice came agonisingly close to finding Van der Sar's net again. If any had passed the Dutch goalkeeper, Ferguson could not have complained.

As it was, apart from Beckham, the only other United 'Class of 92' graduate on the pitch was about to make a decisive contribution. Scholes has peppered the intervening years with a number of howitzers, goals that will be admired decades from now.

This was not among them. Swinging at Darren Fletcher's low cross from the by-line, Scholes missed the ball completely with his right foot, the ball striking him half way up the shin of his standing left. What could only be described as a freakish deflection not only took it the six yards to Dida's goal, but right in the bottom corner, giving the Brazilian no chance of keeping it out.

Milan's response was admirable, given what a shattering blow that away goal was, Andrea Pirlo forcing a one-handed save out of Van der Sar with a 30-yard free-kick, before the 39-year-old Dutchman required every inch of his massive frame to flick a goalbound Ronaldinho effort round the post.

Yet in that one stroke of good fortune for Scholes, it seemed the destiny of the tie had been shaped and a minute after what turned out to be an inspired substitution, Rooney break his European duck.

Antonio Valencia, who had just replaced Nani, was the provider, sending over a cross from the right that allowed Rooney to steer a header back over Dida into the opposite corner.

Now the age in Milan's legs began to tell, and when Darren Fletcher chipped another cross into the box, Rooney stole between defenders to head home once more.

It seemed victory and progress was assured, so Ferguson will be livid at the Seedorf effort five minutes from time that ensured an uncomfortable ending and gives Milan a flicker of hope for the return in three weeks' time, when Michael Carrick will be unavailable following his dismissal deep into stoppage time.

*Taken from Soccernet.com

*For Ac Milan vs Manchester United's Champion League Match Report, click here

Manchester United signed up Chris Smalling

United have agreed terms with Fulham to sign their England Under-21 international defender Chris Smalling.

The 20-year-old Greenwich-born centre-back will join the Reds from the start of the 2010/11 season.

A club spokesperson toldManUtd.com: "Manchester United has agreed terms for the transfer of Chris Smalling from Fulham. Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for the beginning of the 2010/2011 campaign. He will remain at Fulham until the end of the current season."

An England Under-21 international, Smalling has made just nine first-team appearances for Fulham, who signed him from non-league Maidstone 18 months ago.

After shining in the club’s Reserves, Roy Hodgson handed him his senior debut on the final day of the 2008/09 season. His first start came in September 2009 when Fulham travelled to CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Cup, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw. Hodgson said: “If you analysed his performance, he played with a maturity I'm not entitled to expect from a player so young.”

Smalling earned an England U21 debut in November last year and a first league start, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, six weeks later

*Taken from Manutd.com

Manchester United to buy Chris Smalling?

Fulham are reported to have accepted a bid from Manchester United for promising young defender Chris Smalling.

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Chris Smalling: Highly-rated youngster has attracted the attention of the Premier League's big guns.

Smalling, who impressed on his Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, has only two league appearances under his belt but has played four times in the Europa League for the Cottagers this season.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with the England Under-21 international, but United have made the first move, according to Sky Sports.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed that he has also made an offer for Smalling and maintained that until the ink is dry, no deal can be considered done.

"It just looks like Manchester United offered more money than us, but as long as the player has not signed anywhere it is not the end of it," the Arsenal manager said.

"Let's see what happens there. We will not come out on what we are doing exactly. It has come out [elsewhere], but that does not mean it is true. If we have anything more to tell you we will let you know.''

It is believed a fee in the region of £8 million would be needed to prise the talented centre-back away from Craven Cottage and should he sign for United, he would bolster Sir Alex Ferguson's defensive options, with John O'Shea ruled out for the rest of the season.

Smalling, 21, previously played for Maidstone United and was plying his trade in the Ryman Premier League - the seventh tier of the English football pyramid - only two years ago.

*Taken from Soccernet.com

*For Chris Smalling's biodata, click here.

Rooney set for new Utd deal as Real come calling

Wayne Rooney will be offered a new contract by Manchester United before the World Cup Finals to make him one of the highest paid players in English football, and Soccernetunderstands that England's big hope for success in South Africa 2010 will commit his long term future to Old Trafford.

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Wayne Rooney: Set for lucrative contract

Rooney has been linked with a £100 million transfer - including a lucrative wage deal - to Real Madrid and super-agent Pini Zahavi has been hired by Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez to facilitate the move.

"Zahavi has been told to do all he can to try to bring Rooney to the Bernabeu. The club are confident a deal can be done," a Madrid source claimed in Sun Sport.

However, Zahavi is also a close friend of Sir Alex Ferguson and wouldn't upset the United manager, if, and when he is told 'Rooney is not for sale at any price', as Soccernet has been informed that the striker is central to Ferguson's team - and for the manager to remain at Old Trafford.

Sources close to Old Trafford have told Soccernet that a new contract will be offered to Rooney this summer, with the expectation that a new long term deal can be thrashed out.

It will be one of the biggest boosts for England manager Fabio Capello if he can take Rooney to the Finals in South Africa free of injury and free of any pressure over his future.

Manchester United will offer Rooney new terms as soon as the season is over, and Rooney's attitude is that, provided the terms are right, he will re-sign for United. His advisors wouldn't want him distracted by thinking about a new contract while trying to win the World Cup for England, which in turn would enhance his reputation.

The argument is that he might return an even greater commodity then before the global showcase event. But anyone thinking of the player's state of mind would want this issue sorted out ahead of the World Cup Finals.

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced that Rooney will stay at Old Trafford because he loves it at the club, and has no desire to play abroad. Rooney has indicated he would turn his back on Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Barca's manager Pep Guardiola wants Rooney and it has even been suggested that former United defender Gerard Pique, would help him bend Rooney's ear, equally Real would hope that Cristiano Ronaldo would be a major influence in luring Rooney to the Bernabeu.

But the 24-year-old Rooney once commented "can you see me playing abroad?". His attitude hasn't changed.

Rooney's new contract will be tabled before the World Cup, when he will have two years left on his current Old Trafford deal. Rooney has said he would like to end his career at United, and providing the terms are right the deal could be agreed in principle before the 24-year-old heads to South Africa.

Rooney is sure to become United's best-paid player in a new five-year- deal, and although Barca and Real could easily better the offer, that will not be the overriding factor.

With United refinancing £700 million of debt, it has been suggested that another £80 million offer would turn their heads.

However, Soccernet understands that nothing has fundamentally changed about the way Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill are left to run the club and the team.

Sir Alex opted to take Real's £80 million for Ronaldo, when it was clear that the player had his heart and soul set on playing for Real. There is no such emotional tug for Rooney, and if there is an emotional tie, it is to Old Trafford.

*Taken from Soccernet.com

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