madristar

Alonso: Cristiano Ronaldo will find the target for Real Madrid soon Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is certain Cristiano Ronaldo will not be concerned with his poor form in front of goal, and believes the Portuguese will begin finding the target again soon. The former Manchester United winger had a total of 11 efforts on goal during los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, but could not add his name to the scoresheet and appeared increasingly frustrated as the match wore on. Madrid on the whole squandered a number of excellent opportunities to record a more convincing victory, but Alonso believes that CR7 is not anxious, and will eventually find his scoring touch once again. During a press conference today, Alonso said: “As always he would have liked to score, and there were many chances for many players. There will be opportunities in the future and we will make sure we find the net. Ronaldo should not be anxious, because strikers often score in spurts. There will always be chances, because often we are going to be the best team in attack. I am sure that he will soon score.”

Sergio Ramos injury update Realmadrid.com Sergio Ramos has strained the internal lateral ligament of his right knee, for which Sanitas-Real Madrid Medical Services have recommended medical treatment and physiotherapy.

Inter planning bid for Xabi Alonso Inter Milan are plotting an ambition raid for Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, according to reports in Italy. Publication Corriere dello Sport claim Inter president Massimo Moratti has pin-pointed the Spanish midfield maestro as a much needed reinforcement to his side following a injury-prone and indifferent start to the season so far. Among the casualty list is Argentinean Esteban Cambiasso, who faces a spell on the sidelines through injury while Sulley Muntari is deemed as an inadequate replacement. Therefore, Moratti sees Alonso as the solution for Rafael Benitez's headaches in midfield. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has also joined Alonso in Inter's wishlist. The German international's contract at the club will expire in June 2012 and has yet to commit his future to the Bundesliga champions, who have endured a troubled start to their season.

Inter planning bid for Xabi Alonso Inter Milan are plotting an ambition raid for Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, according to reports in Italy. Publication Corriere dello Sport claim Inter president Massimo Moratti has pin-pointed the Spanish midfield maestro as a much needed reinforcement to his side following a injury-prone and indifferent start to the season so far. Among the casualty list is Argentinean Esteban Cambiasso, who faces a spell on the sidelines through injury while Sulley Muntari is deemed as an inadequate replacement. Therefore, Moratti sees Alonso as the solution for Rafael Benitez's headaches in midfield. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has also joined Alonso in Inter's wishlist. The German international's contract at the club will expire in June 2012 and has yet to commit his future to the Bundesliga champions, who have endured a troubled start to their season.

Parternship with Chilean academy extended TorneoChile Encuentro entre las alumnas de las escuelas de Chile * 1 * 2 More photos * Realmadrid.com * Enlarge text * Reduce text * * * * Ver en tuenti * compartir o del.icio.us del.icio.us o digg digg o technorati technorati o yahoo yahoo o meneame meneame The Foundation will continue its relationship with the Friends of Real Madrid Chile Foundation until 2014 Realmadrid.com On Wednesday the Real Madrid Foundation and the Friends of Real Madrid Chile Foundation extended their partnership with the social sports academy located in Santiago. Director General of the Real Madrid Foundation, Julio Gonzalez Ronco and SEK Univerity and Friends of Real Madrid Chile Foundation President, Jorge Segovia met at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to sign the deal. Students of the Chilean academy are expected to visit Spain in the near future.

"Inter will try to sign Lionel Messi" Inter president Massimo Moratti has said he will try to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona, which has been deemed a joke. The controversial president has recently been questioned over the possible signings that could take place at San Siro during the January transfer window. And the 65-year-old's answer shocked even the most fervent of Inter fans. He was quoted in the La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying: "We will see if I can bring Messi..." The publication has considered his comments a casual joke considering the herculean effort needed to sign the Argentinean ace, who has a €250 million buy-out clause hung on his head. Despite brushing away his words, Moratti did admit previously that if he were to ever make a 'super signing', it would be Messi. On a more serious note, the report has linked Inter with a number of players in Spain such as Real Madrid maestro Xabi Alonso and Atletico Madrid hitman Diego Forlan.

KAKA not going to Inter Moratti ruled out an approach for Real Madrid's Kaka, who moved to Spain from Inter's rivals AC Milan. He added: "Kaka is a Real Madrid player and we were never interested in him."

Moratti: I'm serious on signing Messi Inter president Massimo Moratti insists he is serious about signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona. Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti has claimed he could hold talks with Barcelona over the availability of Lionel Messi. Messi is considered one of the best footballers on the planet having won numerous personal accolades including the Ballon d'Or in 2009. The Argentina international has also played a key role in helping Barca lift four Spanish titles and the UEFA Champions League on two occasions. Moratti is keen for Inter to add a world-class player to their squad, and has hinted the club may target Messi. He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "(Lionel) Messi? Everyone asks me to buy a strong player. He is the strongest of all. So I'm starting to ask me the question. "And I still have not answered neither 'yes' nor 'no'. On Sunday, I jokingly said that I would bring Messi to Inter. "But we could only really talk about it with Barcelona. Let's see what happens in the coming days." However, Moratti ruled out an approach for Real Madrid's Kaka, who moved to Spain from Inter's rivals AC Milan. He added: "Kaka is a Real Madrid player and we were never interested in him."

he was rude about everyone.In my opinion he is a drunken,foul mouthed, bald jerk....!! <_< <_<

Schalke 2-2 Stuttgart Klaas Jan Huntelaar's late penalty secured Schalke a 2-2 draw at home against Stuttgart. Timo Gebhart gave Stuttgart the lead in the 15th minute but the hosts equalised through Edu after 29 minutes. Stuttgart again grabbed the lead in the 74th minute with Martin Harnik's goal before Huntelaar's spot-kick came in the 80th minute. Schalke are still looking for their first Bundesliga victory at home this season although they improved to five points for 16th place. Stuttgart, who sacked coach Christian Gross during the national team break and replaced him with his assistant Jens Keller, moved to four points and are bottom of the table. The first chance of the game went to Stuttgart with Zdravko Kuzmanovic heading wide left from seven yards in the ninth minute. And the visitors grabbed the lead six minutes later. Christian Trasch sent a through-ball down the left wing to Arthur Boka, whose cross went all the way to Gebhart at the far right post where he slotted home the opening goal. Stuttgart's Cacau appeared to have doubled the lead after 26 minutes but Serdar Tasci was questionably ruled offside. Schalke took advantage of the situation with the equaliser in the 29th minute. Jose Manuel Jurado's corner from the right side found Edu at the left post for a left-footed volley to the far right corner. Ciprian Marica went close in the 45th minute on a counter-attack but could not beat Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich had to bat the ball over his crossbar after a header by his team-mate Christian Gentner in the 57th minute and Jurado's shot a minute later sailed just wide. Stuttgart regained the lead with 16 minutes to play with Trasch passing down the right side to Harnik, who ran in and blasted the ball past Neuer. Schalke however tied the game for a second time just four minutes later. Tasci took down Alexander Baumjohann in the area and Dutchman Huntelaar stepped up to fire into the upper right corner for his fifth goal in his last five Bundesliga matches.

Pato delighted with brace Alexandre Pato is delighted with his brace in Milan's 3-1 win over Chievo and believes his side are on the right track. The Brazilian has been in red-hot form for his national team and was rewarded with a start by coach Massimiliano Allegri. He duly repaid his coach's faith by banging in two goals in the first-half before his compatriot Robinho wrapped up the victory late on after a deflected header from Sergio Pellissier gave the Rossoneri a scare in the second half. But it's three precious points nonetheless and that shot Milan up to the top of the standings. Speaking to Sky Sports Italia after the match, Pato was delighted to have helped his team to the win and hopes they carry their form to next week's Champions League clash with Real Madrid. "I am very happy with my two goals," the 21-year-old said. "We have to continue like this." Another player who starred in the match was Ronaldinho, who was a central part of Milan's attacking play. "I always do my best to help the team and I thank my colleagues," the former World Player of the year added. "I like playing behind the strikers and it was important to help the team." However, Milan's win was marred by injury to Thiago Silva, who was carried off in the second-half with an ankle injury and could now miss the trip to Madrid.

"United need Rooney, not Fergie" Sir Alex Ferguson, not Wayne Rooney, should be the one to leave Manchester United, former United boss Tommy Docherty said. The relationship between Ferguson and his star striker has been under siege over these few weeks after Rooney publicly contradicted him by insisting he has been fit and injury-free all season. The pair also previously clashed over recent lurid tales of the striker's meetings with prostitutes and the subsequent decision to leave him out of United's team. These series of row have led to talks of Ferguson possibly offloading Rooney from Old Trafford. But Docherty who managed United from 1972 to 1977, feels the side can do without Ferguson, but not their star striker. "United need Rooney more than they need Fergie," the 82-year-old was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror. "If anyone has got to go it should be Fergie." Over the years, high profile players who challenged the authority of Ferguson have found themselves out of the club as the Scot is known to have zero-tolerance over that. Players who had their United career cut-short by the Scot include the likes of David Beckham, Ruud van Nisterooy, Jaap Stam and Roy Keane. But Docherty is adamant it is time for the reverse on this occasion as Rooney offers greater long-term value than Ferguson. "We've seen this in the past at United but they must ask themselves who is more valuable to them, Rooney or Fergie? The answer has to be Rooney. "He's not yet 25. He's got another 10 years in him. Fergie's been great but he's got to be on borrowed time. "The fans come to see Rooney, not the manager. "Rooney is even more important now Cristiano Ronaldo has been sold. "They might well sell Rooney if they are offered another £80m. But that Ronaldo cash is still in the bank. They need players on the pitch and they just can't afford to lose Rooney." The departure of Rooney will undoubtedly incur great damage to United's hopes of silverware this season as the 24-year-old has almost single-handedly carried the club up front following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldinho: I admire Mourinho AC Milan star Ronaldinho has heaped praise on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, labeling him as one of the best coaches in the world. The Brazilian playmaker will make his return to Spain next week when Milan travel to Real Madrid for their Champions League encounter. The 30-year-old spent five seasons with Madrid's rivals Barcelona before moving to the Rossoneri and is looking forward to be up against his old rivals, whom he still has great respect for. He was quoted in an interview with AS: "They are always one of the strongest teams in the world, and every year they bring in more great players. The former World Player of the year also revealed his admiration for Mourinho and is adamant he will bring in silverwares the club have been craving for. "Now, with Mourinho, they have one of the best coaches in the world. I have great admiration for him. I like his style, and he is certainly going to do something very large with Madrid." Taking time to talk about his former club Barcelona, Ronaldinho compared the team he played with under Frank Rijkaard to the current team under Pep Guardiola. "There are some things that are very similar. Barcelona, a long time ago, assumed the characteristic of having the ball a lot, almost 70% possession, and that is something of the club's history. What has changed from my era is the characteristics of the players. "I actually have a good relationship with Guardiola, because his family and his brother are very good friends of mine. I had a good relationship with him also when he trained the B team." Looking forward to next week's match, the Brazilian wizard will be hoping to repeat his vintage performance in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Madrid where he was applauded off the pitch by the opposition fans. He concluded: "I only want to produce a great game. What happened to me in Madrid before happens once in a lifetime, if it occurs at all. I have it in my head not to just produce a great game, but my best game." Milan currently lie second in Group G of the Champions League, two points behind Madrid, who won both of their opening games.

Casillas: Barca dominance will pass Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has dismissed Barcelona's recent dominance as a "passing fad". Barca have claimed the last two Primera Division crowns and the 2009 Champions League with a fluid passing style which has won them a new army of admirers. But Casillas is adamant Jose Mourinho's more pragmatic approach will pay dividends in the long term. He told Marca: "We are able to stand up to them. We compare favourably with them and we are only a couple of months, perhaps a season away from them. "This is the best Barca in history and they have been in fashion but this is just a passing fad. "Mourinho is a very important addition for us. "He is the ideal coach for his character and the way he expresses himself to the players. "I think he will succeed at Real Madrid." Madrid have not won a domestic trophy for two years but have started the new Primera Division season strongly. They currently lie in fourth position, two points behind leaders Valencia and a point ahead of Barca.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "I am happy and very confident" Realmadrid.com After a two goal and two assist performance, Cristiano Ronaldo offered his thoughts on Real Madrid's 1-4 win. "I was calm in front of goal. We are playing well and winning. I knew the goals would come sooner or later. I am happy because I played a great match and the team played well overall. I am very happy and very confident." "I never said I was anxious. I knew things would start happening and thank God they are. We are in good shape and at the top of the table. Ozil is in great form. His confidence increases match by match. We are very happy with him, but with Khedira, Pedro Leon and all the new signings as well. "We know that if we win on Tuesday that we will have one foot in the next round. We play at home and are obligated to win. It will be a great match."

Zidane to work closely with Mourinho Zinedine Zidane is set to take up a role proposed by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. The legendary Frenchman has a current role that sees him act as an ambassador of the club cum an advisor to president Florentino Perez. But Mourinho has earlier requested to have 'Zizou' close to his side to act as a link between him and the president and also to have him more involved on the ground. The Special One was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail: "I would like to have him more with me and less with the president. I don't think he wants to become a coach but I would still like to have him with me." And the latest comments by Zidane would be music to the ears of Mourinho. The 38-year-old told French radio station Europe 1: "I will work more with him [Mourinho]. I'll be the link between the first team and the president. "It suits me because I wanted to go a little deeper into the structure of the club." An official announcement has yet to be made by the club but Zidane is not expected to take up a coaching role. Loading comments... Problems loading Disqus?

he has the ability to train and win with several clubs at once,trust me

Mourinho:" Jesualdo Ferreira and I have a great relationship" Realmadrid.com Jose Mourinho discusses the busy week ahead with Malaga and Milan on the agenda as well as his relationship with Malaga head coach, Jesualdo Ferreira. What did you take away from your meeting with Ettore Messina? He came to see me, but I wanted to visit with him for two reasons. First, we both coach for the same club. Second, I think we can learn a lot from coaches of other sports. I am interested in his coaching methods. I think I can learn a lot from basketball. I am happy that he came, but he didn't have to ask permission. It was a pleasure. You will have had only three days to train with your entire squad prior to the Malaga match. Does the team still have the Deportivo thashing in mind? It will be tough because players have just returned from internationals and after the Malaga match we have to play Milan, who are probably the most difficult opponent we will face in search for the top spot. My players are happy because all of them other than the Argentines did well in their international matches. Unfortunately we haven’t had much time to train and Sergio Ramos came back injured, but it doesn’t look serious. He might not be able to travel to Malaga, but we will see what happens against Milan. The fact that we played well and beat Deportivo is a plus. We are a lot more confident heading into the weekend. The team is still undefeated on the year and hasn’t lost an away league match in eight months. It will happen one day, but hopefully not soon. I don’t think the true Real Madrid plays to 0-0 draws nor do I think that we will always win 6-1. The real Real Madrid is a balanced, compact team that knows how to interpret matches, the opponent and the different stages of a game. That’s what every competition we play in will be like. Each week that passes makes each moment that more decisive. That is why this week is so important. You face your Malaga counterpart Jesualdo Ferreira on Saturday. Some media outlets suggest a riff between the two of you. What a complete embarrassment. We don’t have a good relationship. We have a great relationship, so the fact that this is being said will not hurt us in any way. But it does make me a little sad. Jesualdo had a great career in Portugal. He earned the right to coach in Spain. He has the titles and experience to back him. He doesn’t deserve the treatment he has received. I may have had problems and riffs with different coaches, but not with him. We don’t have a close relationship, but we speak on occasion and we are friends. I know he wants Real Madrid to finish as champions and I want him to win all his matches with Malaga except the two against us. We are both Portuguese and friends and we have a perfect relationship. I am upset that the press will say anything, but it isn’t enough to prevent a hug between friends before and after the match. Are you surprised by everything that has been said? It is normal because we haven’t hidden our good relationship. We meet on occasion, we crossed paths at the UEFA coaches meetings and we call one another. I called him five minutes after Malaga defeated Zaragoza and he did the same after we beat Deportivo. We have a great relationship. We went to the same university and I call him “Professor” because he was older than me and he was one of my professors. I really don’t understand anything that has been said, but it’s okay. What crosses your mind when you see players’ names linked to Real Madrid in the press? What I said about Jesualdo also relates to signings. You can sell news and do your ‘business’ without harming others. When names come up like Gareth Bale, Llorente and Rooney, you aren’t harming them by linking them to Real Madrid. You sell news, but you aren’t harming anyone. Madrid is Madrid and players will always be linked with this club. Mainly big names because people won’t believe you if you speak about mediocre players. As a coach I must not only say what I think, but what the club thinks as well. This is our squad from now until the end of the season. These are the players we have faith in. Real Madrid made the investment it had to in previous seasons and this past summer. We don’t have the perfect squad because it doesn’t exist. We have an optimal squad with players who boost my confidence, so I don’t want any players in the winter transfer window. I think it is premature and out of touch with reality when players are discussed because I, and surely the director general and president, will say that the current and January markets are closed for Real Madrid should nothing out of the norm occur.

with Roberta Armani

No Rooney sale despite United losses Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists there is no pressure to sell despite the club making losses of £83.6million. Gill said the club would still prefer to have "Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch than £80million in the bank" as proof of their desire to keep players. Although United's group operating profit topped £100.7million, after player-related costs, interest payments and a number of expensive one-off costs related to the bond issue, overall there was a record loss for the club. Gill said the accounts released today were "very good" with excellent revenues, and said there should be no concern about United going down the same road as Liverpool, whose American co-owners have struggled to finance their ownership. The United chief executive did admit the figures could be confusing to fans who saw a record turnover of £286million for the year ending June 2010 contrasting with the record losses of £83.6million. For the previous year the club had returned a net profit of £48.2million thanks to the sale of Ronaldo, but Gill said the Glazer family who own United had not pushed for that move, nor would they for any other player. He added that United's balance sheet includes £165million remaining in the bank if Sir Alex Ferguson wants to buy new players. In an interview with Press Association Sport, Gill said: "We are not a club that needs to sell. We have money in the bank so there is zero pressure on that, no pressure at all to sell any star player whether it is Wayne Rooney or X,Y or Z. I can categorically say that. "There was no desire at all from anyone at the club to sell Cristiano - he wanted to go and as a result we managed to extract a world record fee. "These philosophy is to retain and attract the best players. We have £165million in the bank but in some ways we would prefer to have £80million in the bank and Ronaldo on the pitch." Gill said part of the losses related to one-off payments after bank loans were turned into a bond, totalling £47million. He added that if 'goodwill' losses - an accounting practice relating to the original takeover - of £35.2million, and foreign exchange losses of £19million (which should be recovered next year) and depreciation are ignored, United would have an actual profit of about £25million. Gill added: "There are very good results for the club with records here, there and everywhere but they are complicated with non-cash items and exceptional one-off hits." Fans' group have raised concerns that there could be parallels with the Liverpool crisis, where the holding company may be forced into administration next week over unpaid debts following a leveraged takeover, and the Glazer ownership of United. Gill however insisted that was not the case. He added: "I can't speak for any other club but the United fans should not be concerned, we have a long-term financing structure in place, excellent revenues that are growing, we are controlling our costs - total wages are 46% of turnover - and we can afford the interest on our long-term finance. "In our opinion if something changed in the ownership this club will survive and continue - it is covering the financing cost more than adequately. "We still have cash to invest in players and to give good contracts to players and we are comfortable with the business model." The figures show that United's wage bill rose by 7% to £131.7million, while United's overall debt rose to £521.7million. It may also appease some critics that according to the figures, the Glazers have not taken any money out of the club to pay any of their £200million-worth of PIK notes that are now attracting interest at 16.25%. Gill added: "They have retained that money in the bank and it's there for Sir Alex if he needs it for players, and for investing in the training ground and the stadium." United are confident that they will meet UEFA's financial fair play rules despite the figures because not all the paper losses - such as depreciation - are included by UEFA when they calculate whether clubs are only spending what they earn. Sports business expert Simon Chadwick said it was important United won major trophies soon to maintain their brand and commercial success. Chadwick, professor of sports business at Coventry University, said: "They have continued to build the revenue streams which are good for them. "But last season they were not particularly successful on the pitch. They probably need more success domestically and to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, firstly as a revenue source but secondly in terms of the brand." The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) claimed the results showed the clock was ticking for the Glazer family and the club, and highlighted how well off United would be without the interest payments. A MUST spokesman said: "The financial results today continue to demonstrate the tremendous revenue generated by Manchester United - directly or indirectly through the unparalleled loyal support the club receives. Sadly those supporters are let down by owners who continue to extract millions from our club. Imagine how successful we could be without the millstone that is the Glazers' ownership. "Under a supporter ownership model, or even the debt-free plc model prior to the Glazers takeover, this huge revenue stream could largely be reinvested in the football club (squad, stadium, ticket prices) rather than being leached out by the Glazers." MUST claimed the club was now "extremely vulnerable" if there was any fall in revenue. The MUST spokesman added: "With greater competition domestically it is going to become increasingly expensive just to maintain a place in the Champions League and the huge debt burden makes the club extremely vulnerable to any dip in revenues such as that which might be triggered by a decline in on-the-pitch performance. "When Sir Alex retires the chances of maintaining anything like the same level of success look remote without massive investment. So the clock is ticking for the Glazers - and for the supporters too."

No Rooney sale despite United losses Manchester United chief executive David Gill insists there is no pressure to sell despite the club making losses of £83.6million. Gill said the club would still prefer to have "Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch than £80million in the bank" as proof of their desire to keep players. Although United's group operating profit topped £100.7million, after player-related costs, interest payments and a number of expensive one-off costs related to the bond issue, overall there was a record loss for the club. Gill said the accounts released today were "very good" with excellent revenues, and said there should be no concern about United going down the same road as Liverpool, whose American co-owners have struggled to finance their ownership. The United chief executive did admit the figures could be confusing to fans who saw a record turnover of £286million for the year ending June 2010 contrasting with the record losses of £83.6million. For the previous year the club had returned a net profit of £48.2million thanks to the sale of Ronaldo, but Gill said the Glazer family who own United had not pushed for that move, nor would they for any other player. He added that United's balance sheet includes £165million remaining in the bank if Sir Alex Ferguson wants to buy new players. In an interview with Press Association Sport, Gill said: "We are not a club that needs to sell. We have money in the bank so there is zero pressure on that, no pressure at all to sell any star player whether it is Wayne Rooney or X,Y or Z. I can categorically say that. "There was no desire at all from anyone at the club to sell Cristiano - he wanted to go and as a result we managed to extract a world record fee. "These philosophy is to retain and attract the best players. We have £165million in the bank but in some ways we would prefer to have £80million in the bank and Ronaldo on the pitch." Gill said part of the losses related to one-off payments after bank loans were turned into a bond, totalling £47million. He added that if 'goodwill' losses - an accounting practice relating to the original takeover - of £35.2million, and foreign exchange losses of £19million (which should be recovered next year) and depreciation are ignored, United would have an actual profit of about £25million. Gill added: "There are very good results for the club with records here, there and everywhere but they are complicated with non-cash items and exceptional one-off hits." Fans' group have raised concerns that there could be parallels with the Liverpool crisis, where the holding company may be forced into administration next week over unpaid debts following a leveraged takeover, and the Glazer ownership of United. Gill however insisted that was not the case. He added: "I can't speak for any other club but the United fans should not be concerned, we have a long-term financing structure in place, excellent revenues that are growing, we are controlling our costs - total wages are 46% of turnover - and we can afford the interest on our long-term finance. "In our opinion if something changed in the ownership this club will survive and continue - it is covering the financing cost more than adequately. "We still have cash to invest in players and to give good contracts to players and we are comfortable with the business model." The figures show that United's wage bill rose by 7% to £131.7million, while United's overall debt rose to £521.7million. It may also appease some critics that according to the figures, the Glazers have not taken any money out of the club to pay any of their £200million-worth of PIK notes that are now attracting interest at 16.25%. Gill added: "They have retained that money in the bank and it's there for Sir Alex if he needs it for players, and for investing in the training ground and the stadium." United are confident that they will meet UEFA's financial fair play rules despite the figures because not all the paper losses - such as depreciation - are included by UEFA when they calculate whether clubs are only spending what they earn. Sports business expert Simon Chadwick said it was important United won major trophies soon to maintain their brand and commercial success. Chadwick, professor of sports business at Coventry University, said: "They have continued to build the revenue streams which are good for them. "But last season they were not particularly successful on the pitch. They probably need more success domestically and to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, firstly as a revenue source but secondly in terms of the brand." The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) claimed the results showed the clock was ticking for the Glazer family and the club, and highlighted how well off United would be without the interest payments. A MUST spokesman said: "The financial results today continue to demonstrate the tremendous revenue generated by Manchester United - directly or indirectly through the unparalleled loyal support the club receives. Sadly those supporters are let down by owners who continue to extract millions from our club. Imagine how successful we could be without the millstone that is the Glazers' ownership. "Under a supporter ownership model, or even the debt-free plc model prior to the Glazers takeover, this huge revenue stream could largely be reinvested in the football club (squad, stadium, ticket prices) rather than being leached out by the Glazers." MUST claimed the club was now "extremely vulnerable" if there was any fall in revenue. The MUST spokesman added: "With greater competition domestically it is going to become increasingly expensive just to maintain a place in the Champions League and the huge debt burden makes the club extremely vulnerable to any dip in revenues such as that which might be triggered by a decline in on-the-pitch performance. "When Sir Alex retires the chances of maintaining anything like the same level of success look remote without massive investment. So the clock is ticking for the Glazers - and for the supporters too."

Could Rooney leave Man United? With just a year and a half left on his current deal there are fears Wayne Rooney could leave Manchester United. The England star had originally agreed to an extension of his current deal during the summer, but according to reports from AS, no documents have been signed yet. This is a result of new regulations set by the Glazers to only conclude negotiations within the last year of a player's current contract. The 24-year-old striker has been plagued by poor form this season for the Red Devils as well as England, with Sir Alex Ferguson dropping him from the side in an attempt to shelter him from the media furore surrounding his private life. Althought United are reported to have offered him a reported £140,000 a week to sign a new contract, the Glazer's policy, coupled with Rooney's off-field distractions, could prove to be the pushing point for Rooney to leave England for greener pastures. There has already been noises from Real Madrid with interest for Rooney to link-up with ex-United winger Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernebeu, and the longer Rooney takes to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, the higher the possibility that another club could swoop in to lure his affections away from England. There has already been reports of some tension between manager and player at United, with Rooney apparently knocking back suggestions from Ferguson that he was struggling with an ankle injury. When asked if his ankle had caused any problems, Rooney replied: "No, I've had no ankle problem all season." "I felt sharp," Rooney told Sky Sports News. He repeated his denial when asked the question for a second time. Then when asked "Why did Alex Ferguson say you had?", Rooney replied: "I don't know." His comments are unlikely to go down well with his United manager, who could have been plausibly trying to defend his recent poor form, and Ferguson has a history of letting players with personal distractions off-the-pitch leave Old Trafford, most notably David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Could Rooney leave Man United? With just a year and a half left on his current deal there are fears Wayne Rooney could leave Manchester United. The England star had originally agreed to an extension of his current deal during the summer, but according to reports from AS, no documents have been signed yet. This is a result of new regulations set by the Glazers to only conclude negotiations within the last year of a player's current contract. The 24-year-old striker has been plagued by poor form this season for the Red Devils as well as England, with Sir Alex Ferguson dropping him from the side in an attempt to shelter him from the media furore surrounding his private life. Althought United are reported to have offered him a reported £140,000 a week to sign a new contract, the Glazer's policy, coupled with Rooney's off-field distractions, could prove to be the pushing point for Rooney to leave England for greener pastures. There has already been noises from Real Madrid with interest for Rooney to link-up with ex-United winger Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernebeu, and the longer Rooney takes to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, the higher the possibility that another club could swoop in to lure his affections away from England. There has already been reports of some tension between manager and player at United, with Rooney apparently knocking back suggestions from Ferguson that he was struggling with an ankle injury. When asked if his ankle had caused any problems, Rooney replied: "No, I've had no ankle problem all season." "I felt sharp," Rooney told Sky Sports News. He repeated his denial when asked the question for a second time. Then when asked "Why did Alex Ferguson say you had?", Rooney replied: "I don't know." His comments are unlikely to go down well with his United manager, who could have been plausibly trying to defend his recent poor form, and Ferguson has a history of letting players with personal distractions off-the-pitch leave Old Trafford, most notably David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.