[renegade87]

Originally Posted by mareen

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nice one,repped mareen.

[simxxx]

Fergie expects two-horse race


Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Premier League will turn into a two-horse race as usual this season.
The Manchester United manager admits the first half of the season has been more competitive than in recent years and would not be surprised if the Big Four's monopoly of the Champions League places is challenged.
But come May he clearly believes United and Chelsea, currently five points clear, will be battling for the big prize.
Ferguson, who has won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies in his 23 years at Old Trafford, said: "I had a feeling about there being a change last season. The top teams are losing games and more points than ever through the early part of the season.
"That gives rise to the hope that it could be a very competitive league. But my experience tells me that two teams break away towards the last part of the season."
Ferguson, however, is unsure who might snatch the fourth Champions League slot.
"I could toss a coin and that could be my best chance of deciding who could break into the top four out of Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City with all the money they have.
"That's a difficult competition in itself and any one of them is capable of doing that"
Ferguson was speaking at an inaugural dinner of the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame 1000 club, celebrating those who have managed more than 1,000 domestic league or cup matches.
The English leagues have boasted 18 such managers, including the late Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Robson, Brian Clough and Alec Stock.
Ten surviving members were present at the Hilton hotel in London and as well as Ferguson they comprised Dave Bassett, Steve Coppell, Brian Horton, Lennie Lawrence, Harry Redknapp, Denis Smith, Jim Smith, Graham Turner and Neil Warnock.
Ferguson also admitted football had been taken over by a new breed of chairmen and owners with a hair-trigger for sacking managers.
He said: "It's a different world we're in. Managers were always sacked but in most cases there was a reasonable cause. A run of bad results. But I remember Peter Reid was sacked after five games at Manchester City at the start of the season.
"Ruud Gullit was sacked a few games into one of his seasons at Newcastle. There is an instant response from chairmen which has been unusual in recent years.
"We have a new breed of chairmen and new owners. It's not the establishment we've got now. We have new owners from Americans, Chinese, Russians. How they achieved their money is not what football is used to.
"The sudden wealth (has brought) the quick reaction of chairmen to what happens on the football field."

[simxxx]

An Angel for the Red Devils?


Argentine winger Angel Di Maria is said to be extremely interested in a move to Manchester; Manchester United, that is.
Di Maria, who is on the wishlist of bitter rivals Manchester City, has revealed that he would prefer a move to Old Trafford.
The Benfica player is currently one of the best prospects in the world, and Premier League giants such as Chelsea and Arsenal are monitoring the player.
However, Di Maria admits that he is a boyhood Red Devils fans and would love nothing better than to don the red jersey of United.
Di Maria told The Sun: "My dream is to play some day for Manchester United and I won't stop till I get it.
"When I watch Wayne Rooney and all of them on TV, I can't wait to play at Old Trafford.
"When I was a little boy I watched Arsenal games as well but Manchester United always dazzled me most."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger almost got his man before he signed for Benfica but the deal could not be completed.
He added: "I was very excited about joining them but it never happened.
"From what I've been told, the transfer money that was supposed to appear, never appeared."

[Vermis]

all rumours ... I don't think fergie will be buying any players in Jan transfer window.