Rooney double helps England cruise

Wayne Rooney scored two first-half goals as England cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria to extend its lead in Euro 2012 qualifying Friday.

Defender Gary Cahill grabbed his first goal for England in the 13th minute, beating goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov as he toppled to the ground.

Rooney twice punished Bulgaria's casual defending. He beat his marker to head in a corner from Stewart Downing in the 21st minute, and then tapped in a ball on the break just before half time.

England leads Group G with 14 points from six games, pulling ahead of Montenegro which stayed on 11 points after losing 2-1 in Wales. Bulgaria, coached by former German great Lothar Matthaeus, has five points.

England's Football Association reported to UEFA that racist abuse was directed at England midfielder Ashley Young by a section of home fans.

Matthaeus said he was not “well informed” about the incident. But he added: “It is very regrettable for such things to happen. I would like to apologize on behalf of the Bulgarian Football Federation.”

It was the only sour note of the night for England, which followed up its 4-0 home win over Bulgaria in its opening Group G match with another comfortable victory.

Coach Fabio Capello picked Tottenham's Scott Parker and Manchester City's Gareth Barry in central midfield, meaning Frank Lampard was left out of a competitive match for England for the first time since 2007. He played for the last 10 minutes, coming on for Barry.

Capello said he used “the best players at this moment,” and said he was delighted with the result that leaves England needing three points to qualify from two games — at home against Wales next week before travelling to Montenegro.

“We're really happy because (Rooney) scored. We're really happy with the performance of the team. Tonight the players were very focussed at every moment,” Capello said.

“Bulgaria had lots of chances in their game against Switzerland but tonight they had only one.”

Rooney increased his England goal tally to 28, and said a knock on his foot during Friday's game would not stop him playing against Wales next week.

“We've got one foot into the finals. If we win on Tuesday we will more or less have qualified and we are capable of doing that,” he said. “This was a good performance from the whole team and we fully deserved the three points.”

Matthaeus fielded five defenders, but his side still struggled at the back. Spells of pressure, and boisterous fans at Vasil Levski stadium, failed to help Bulagria score a qualifying goal at home at the third attempt.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart blocked a close-range header from Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov 10 minutes into the second half — Bulgaria's only clear chance.

Downing answered for England a minute later, heading down a skilful cross from Theo Walcott, but the ball struck the far post with Mihaylov again beaten.

Matthaeus said England had simply outclassed his players.

“The win was fair ... We made very obvious mistakes and handed them as a gift to our opponents,” Matthaeus said. “The difference in quality between the players was very clear. In all areas of the game, the English were a class above us.

“That's the difference between us and the great football nations.”

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Sir Alex Ferguson coy over Dimitar Berbatov's Manchester United future

Sir Alex Ferguson has cast doubt over the future of Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United after appearing to suggest that the Bulgarian could leave the club.

Ferguson made the admission after his reserve side's 8-2 defeat in a charity match against Marseille in Monaco on Tuesday evening. A French television journalist asked the United manager if Berbatov could play with Paris St-Germain, who are interested in signing the striker. "Yes," a smiling Ferguson replied. "Absolutely, no problem."

The French club are reportedly willing to pay £18-£20m, which would help United to recoup some of the £50m they have spent so far this summer on Ashley Young, David de Gea and Phil Jones.

Berbatov was United's top scorer last season and, alongside Carlos Tevez, the joint winner of the Premier League's golden boot, but Ferguson appears to have lost trust in the Bulgarian's ability to influence the more important matches. The club-record £30.75m signing from Tottenham Hotspur was not even on the substitutes' bench for the Champions League final against Barcelona in May, a decision that devastated him to the point he did not even leave the Wembley dressing rooms.

Nonetheless, Ferguson's statement represents a considerable change of direction for the champions, who have maintained all summer that Berbatov is not for sale and can still play a significant part in their attempt to win a 20th league title next season.

David Gill, the United chief executive, said at the weekend that the club had never considered moving on the Bulgarian. "Everyone has been talking about Berbatov from the outside, saying he wants to leave or that we want him to leave, but we don't want him to go. We want him to stay. He scored 20 goals last season, so there is no desire on our behalf to see him go."

Gill also said nothing sinister was to be drawn from the fact Berbatov was the only player at the club in the final year of his contract not yet to be offered an extension. "People keep telling me he's in the final year of his contract but there is an option on the club's side to extend Dimitar's contract by another year. We can do it whenever we want, there are no conditions around it and that means, in effect, he has two years to go."

It also makes Berbatov more valuable in the market if PSG, who have a £37.7m deal in place for Palermo's Javier Pastore that would smash the French transfer record, are serious about adding him to their new-look side.

Ferguson also attempted to brush off the latest speculation about Wesley Sneijder, saying it was "just all the newspapers" when he was asked about the possibility of signing the Holland international from Internazionale.

United have been trying to play down the matter for weeks, repeatedly informing reporters they are not interested in the player, but a deal is actually in place providing Sneijder agrees to lower his financial requirements.

Ferguson was quoted in one Sunday newspaper saying: "If he [Sneijder] wants to come, he must accept our contract offer. If not, we have other options in mind. We're done talking." The United manager has since denied saying such a thing but this is, in fact, the accurate and latest position.

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Keeper De Gea joins Manchester United

English champions Manchester United agreed a deal to sign highly-rated young goalkeeper David de Gea from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. The 20-year-old, who helped Spain's under-21 team to win the European Championship title last weekend, passed a medical at Old Trafford on Monday and will join on a five-year contract. He follows England winger Ashley Young and under-21 defender Phil Jones in moving to the UEFA Champions League finalists in post-season transfers.

De Gea, who had long been linked with United as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar, is likely to miss the start of the club's pre-season tour of the U.S. as he has been given an immediate vacation by boss Alex Ferguson. "The manager said that I should enjoy the holiday I've been afforded now, but of course I'm more excited about getting started in training and meeting my future teammates," De Gea told the club's television channel.

"Edwin has been the best goalkeeper in the world while here at United. I hope to emulate him and spend a great number of years here. Hopefully I will equal or even surpass the performance and contribution he made to the club."

De Gea is the second new goalkeeper brought in by Ferguson, with Denmark international Anders Lindegaard signing in the January transfer window. Their arrival casts some doubt on the United future of Poland international Tomasz Kuszczak, who was Dutchman van der Sar's understudy. "I am young but I'm coming here on the back of two full seasons in La Liga in Spain so I think I've got enough experience to contribute to such a big club," De Gea said. "When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you, it obviously makes you very happy. I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability."

De Gea's international teammate Thiago Alcantara, who scored Spain's second goal in the final against Switzerland, has signed a new two-year contract with European champions Barcelona. The 20-year-old is now tied to the Spanish league winners until mid-2015. Spanish club Racing Santander have appointed Hector Cuper as coach to replace Marcelino Garcia Toral, who left to join Sevilla last month. The 55-year-old Argentine has previously coached Valencia, guiding the La Liga club to Champions League finals in 2001 and 2001, and Italy's Inter Milan.

United's Premier League rivals Sunderland have signed England under-21 international striker Connor Wickham from second division club Ipswich for $12.8 million in a deal that could potentially be worth $19 million.

Wickham, 18, has agreed a four-year contract after being linked with moves to bigger clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. French champions Lille have signed defender David Rozehnal after the Czech Republic international impressed on loan from German side Hamburg last season.

Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has also joined on a three-year deal from Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv. Lille had already brought in strikers Dimitri Payet and Ronny Rodelin plus defender Marko Basa since winning a domestic double. Ivory Coast international center-back Abdoulaye Meite has joined promoted French club Dijon on a three-year contract after leaving English side West Brom.

On a busy day for French clubs, Toulouse signed Turkey international striker Umut Bulut on a three-year deal from Turkish club Trabzonspor, while Sochaux loaned defender Steven Mouyokolo from England's Wolverhampton. Italian club Fiorentina announced on Wednesday that Brazilian defender Romulo Caldeira will join once the 24-year-old has passed a medical, while Serbia under-21 defender Matija Nastasic is also expected to sign.

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Nani insists he's glad United have signed Young

Nani claims he does not fear losing his place to Ashley Young and says sitting on the bench is “boring”. Nani welcomed Young’s £16million arrival at Manchester United from Aston Villa and claims the England winger will help the team win more trophies. The Portuguese winger is unfazed by the increase in competition among United’s widemen, after having to go up against Cristiano Ronaldo when he first came to Old Trafford.

“Of course I have to welcome everyone they sign,” he said. “I think Man United is a fantastic club and when they bring in new players, they know if it is good for the team or not, and Young has to help them.

“I was at United when Cristiano was there. Cristiano was one of the best players in the world, but I had no worries about him. “It’s good for the team. We want more good players to help us to win trophies.”Nani, 24, is confident about his first-team prospects because he produced his best-ever campaign for United last season.

He topped the assists chart with 18 and finished joint-top of the combined goals and assists table with 27 to earn the club’s Player of the Year accolade.

However, his form was not good enough to earn him a starting place in the Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona when he was replaced by Antonio Valencia. Nani was hurt by this snub and says watching the final from the bench at Wembley was “boring”.

He refused to criticise Sir Alex Ferguson for dropping him though, and admits his performance levels might have dipped because he was tired after a long season.

The former Sporting Lisbon star says he now feels refreshed after a month off and is ready to start pre-season training on Monday. “Last season I played more games than ever at Man United,” he said. “That’s why maybe in the last games I didn’t look the same as in the first games.

“It was boring not playing in the Champions League Final because you want to play - everyone wants to play. Finals are for playing, but the manager makes the decision. He knows who is better for the team and I have to respect that.

“Now I’m on holiday to rest and get my power back. At the start of the season I will be fine to start strong again, start to do what I know.”Nani did come on for the last 20 minutes of United’s 3-1 defeat and refuses to accept that Fergie’s side cannot beat Barca.

He claims United will begin the new season believing they can defeat Pep Guardiola’s side, despite losing two finals against them in three years. "They are the best team,” he said. “But they are not unbeatable.

"In a different game we could beat them, you never know. A game is a game and you never know what’s going to happen.”Nani has been amused during the break by Wayne Rooney’s admission on Twitter that he has had a hair transplant. He can’t wait to rib the England star when they meet up on Monday and says he will Tweet his verdict on Rooney's new barnet. “I will see and then after I will write something,” he smiled.

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Manchester United set to reignite interest in City target Alexis Sanchez

Manchester United are set to step up their interest in Udinese's Alexis Sanchez, according to the Daily Mail. United have been linked with a move for the former River Plate man since last summer, when he produced some impressive performances for Chile at the World Cup. Sanchez continued his form into the domestic season, scoring 12 goals in Serie A for Udinese.

It is understood that United chief executive David Gill met Gino Pozzo – the son of Udinese owner Giampaolo – in Barcelona on Tuesday to discuss a move. Manchester City are believed to have recently bid £27 million for the services of the attacker often compared to former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, but his club are believed to be holding out for at least £30m, a fee City seem unwilling to meet due to the new financial fair play regulations coming into practice soon.

Giampaolo Pozzo just days ago claimed City are the favourites to land the Chilean, but Sanchez’s agent, Fernando Felicevich, has insisted it is far from a one-horse race. He said: “Sanchez’s future is still wide open. After meetings with City, today we will have new appointments.”

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Manchester United celebrate Phil Jones transfer triumph but Blackburn claim to have secured inflated fee

Blackburn are adamant that United were forced to increase their original offer of £16.5 million after the club’s owners, the Venky’s poultry group, sought legal advice to prevent the Old Trafford side signing the player for the value of a release clause inserted into his contract earlier this year.

A statement on the club’s website confirmed that the fee surpassed the £17.5 million received from Manchester City for Roque Santa Cruz in 2009, describing the Jones deal as a “potential club record”. However, Kean revealed that when, and if, a variety of performance-related clauses are met Blackburn could stand to earn more than £20 million. “With all the bits and pieces, all the games he will play it will go above £20 million,” the Scot said. “It is a very big fee. But do not let that disguise the fact that we wanted to keep him here. We gave it a real good fight and made a fantastic offer. “Both myself and the owners spoke to him at great length.

"We offered him the biggest contract in the history of Blackburn to stay here. It was a staggering offer for a 19 year-old but Phil wanted to play Champions League football. “I think United have signed a future captain of England. He will be an England regular very soon.”Sources at United insist, though, that Jones did not cost any more than the £16.5 million offered prior to Venky’s objection, as well as the late offers from both Liverpool and Arsenal that were made in an attempt to take advantage of the confusion over the status of his move to Old Trafford. That confusion has now been solved with United announcing on their website that the player, who passed a medical last Wednesday before joining up with England’s Under-21 squad playing in the European Championship in Denmark, has signed a five-year deal.

Jones expressed his delight at finally becoming a United player, describing the chance to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s side as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” on Twitter. “I’d just like to start off by saying that I’ve loved my time at Blackburn and I will always be a huge fan,” he wrote. “But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to a new challenge. Thank you for all your kind messages.”

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Ashley Young heads to Manchester United but Phil Jones deal stalls

Manchester United will officially sign Ashley Young when the Aston Villa forward returns from holiday later this month but their capture of Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers has been delayed by a dispute over the defender's transfer fee.

Jones passed a medical and agreed personal terms with United on Wednesday after the Premier League champions met the £16m release clause in the contract Blackburn awarded the 19-year-old in February. He then joined the England Under-21 squad in Denmark in preparation for the European Championships convinced, along with United and his agent, that the deal had been done.

Blackburn's owners, Venky's, have since said they do not have to accept a £16m transfer fee and, mindful of interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, believe he is worth more. Venky's have refused to transfer the player's registration and it may fall to lawyers to decide whether the wording in Jones' contract allows him to be sold at £16m or merely speak to clubs who meet that price. United are said to have no concerns that Jones' transfer will be completed and for £16m.

Young is believed to have agreed personal terms on an initial £16m move to Old Trafford from Villa Park but the transfer will not be formally announced until he has completed a medical. The England international is due to travel to the United States on holiday and is not expected to have had his medical before then. But Young, who had also been courted by Liverpool and Tottenham, has agreed to join United and, with an £18m deal in place for the Atlético Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea, will take United's committed spending to £50m.

Wesley Sneijder has committed his immediate future to Internazionale despite interest from Sir Alex Ferguson as he attempts to rebuild the United midfield for next season. The Holland international and Tottenham's Luka Modric were both under consideration by the United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who is also keen on Arsenal's Samir Nasri but Sneijder has said: "There is a family atmosphere at Inter and there are all the ingredients to aim high. Milan is marvellous, picturesque and full of elegance. I love it. At the moment I am very happy here and I don't see why I should leave."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed Eric Cantona will take charge of New York Cosmos when they provide the opposition for Paul Scholes' testimonial at Old Trafford on 5 August.

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Manchester United star Paul Scholes the best of all time

It was right at the start of the ’90s that I heard the name Paul Scholes for the first time. The football world and the media, this newspaper in particular, was waking up to the fact that something unusual and wonderful was taking shape at Manchester United.

A group of kids who were growing up together at Old Trafford were starting to make ripples. Some of them who were aged just 16 or 17 were already pushing for a place in Alex Ferguson’s first team.

So I took myself off to United’s old training centre, The Cliff in Salford, to have a chat with the Reds­ youth team coach Eric Harrison who watched over that talented bunch of youngsters like a mother hen. Of course Eric was eager to sing the praises of David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt.

But Eric became even more animated when talking about the boy I had never heard of. That boy was Paul Scholes. “You won’t believe this,” said Eric, “but Scholesy has got a fan club. “Have you ever heard of a 17-year-old footballer with a fan club, because I haven’t. “But scores of young girls turn up at The Cliff just to watch him training.

“He’s tiny, he’s got a mop of ginger hair and he suffers from asthma. But to those young girls he’s already a star. Of course Scholesy doesn’t take advantage of his stardom. “He’s only interested in playing football. At least that’s what he tells me. “What those young fans are seeing, I believe, is that they are watching the birth of a great career in professional football at the very highest level.

“And do you know what? I couldn’t agree with them more. The scrawny ginger haired kid I am talking about is going to become a superstar over the years ahead.”Let’s wind the clock on 20 years to an interview with Thierry Henry broadcast by Sky Sports earlier this season.

The programme was filmed in New York where the brilliant French striker was giving the interviewer a grand tour of the Red Bulls Stadium where he now plays. The conversation turned to the days in the late ’90s and early 2000s when Arsenal and United comprehensively dominated the Premier League.

Henry was asked if he and his Arsenal team-mates feared any of United’s players. Roy Keane for his ferociousness perhaps, or maybe Ruud van Nistelrooy for his goal-scoring ability?

Henry’s reply was instant and revealing. “We respected all of United’s players,” he answered diplomatically. “But there was one United player we genuinely feared – and that player was Paul Scholes.

“Scholes had everything.

“We prided ourselves on our defence but he could split it open with one pass.

“He could score fantastic goals out of nothing and, although he was small in stature, to say he could take care of himself on the pitch is a massive under-statement. “At his peak he was one of the greatest midfield players of his generation, not just in the English Premier League but right across Europe.”

Genius: So there it is. Two tributes to the ginger genius from north Manchester separated by two decades. The first from his former youth team coach Harrison could be expected. Eric treated the members of that famous class of 1992 as though they were his adopted sons. But when you look again at that second tribute 20 years later from one of the world’s greatest strikers, there is only one conclusion to be reached.

That scrawny asthma-stricken kid, born in Salford but raised in Langley, was THE greatest English midfield player of his generation and arguably the greatest English midfielder of ALL time. Why then was Scholes not showered with personal honours throughout his glittering career?

Why no PFA Player of the Year award? Why no Football Writers’ Player of the Year honour? Those questions are difficult to answer. The only explanation I can come up with is that throughout his career Scholes preferred to keep himself under the radar.

He never sought publicity. Quite the reverse. He was dynamic on the field but purposely anonymous off it. To him giving an interview to the press was the equivalent of having your teeth pulled out with pliers – without the anaesthetic.

Had he been more media-friendly he would certainly have banked extra millions during his career from sponsorships and various TV advertising campaigns.All right, he didn’t have the film star looks of a Beckham or a Jamie Redknapp, but that hasn’t stopped Peter Crouch making a fortune outside the game has it?

And he’s twice the size but half the talent of Scholes, that’s for sure. But that was the Ginger Prince wasn’t it? Turn in a match-winning performance, take a shower, get dressed and then it’s off home to take the wife and kids to the pictures.

A man who somehow managed to live a normal life in an abnormal profession. United have granted Scholes a testimonial match later this year to celebrate his extraordinary career.

If the organisers of that match haven’t yet fixed up an opposing team for Scholes’s testimonial I would urge them to look no further than United’s ‘noisy neighbours’ from Eastlands. For almost two decades now my fellow Blue Mooners have ‘hated’ the little ginger haired midfield genius from Old Trafford.

But I’m sure I’m speaking for every true City supporter by saying that if Scholes had been wearing the sky blue shirt instead of a red one throughout those years he would have been idolised.

The Eastlands congregation would flock to Old Trafford in their thousands to say a last goodbye to one of football’s true greats. A fellow Mancunian who reached the very peak of his profession with the minimum of fuss and the absence of publicity. We will not see the likes of him again, more’s the pity.

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Samir Nasri hints at move to Manchester United

Samir Nasri has infuriated Arsenal by refusing to dismiss a move to Manchester United. The midfielder issued what amounts to a 'come and get me plea' to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with his comments in a French TV interview. His stance echoes that of Spurs star Luka Modric, who last week dropped more than a few broad hints about a possible switch to Old Trafford.

Nasri is coming into the final year of his contract at the Emirates and Arsene Wenger may be forced to cash-in rather than lose him for nothing next summer. The Arsenal manager insists his 23-year-old French international will not be joining United - but unless Nasri commits himself to a new deal soon, Arsenal may have no choice but to let him leave the club.

Nasri, on international duty ahead of France's Euro 2012 qualifier with Poland, said on TF1: "I don't know if I will sign a new contract. Anyway, the discussions are ongoing. "For the moment, I don't think about this. We will speak about it after the match with Poland. "Do I want to go to Man United? First, we should see if it's real and if it is concrete."Ferguson is determined to revamp United's midfield for next season, especially after seeing that particular department swamped by Barcelona in the Champions League final.

He wants Modric to replace the retired Paul Scholes, while Nasri is earmarked as a successor to Ryan Giggs. Nasri's international colleague Patrice Evra infuriated Arsenal fans ahead of United's Champions League final with Barcelona when he claimed the Arsenal player would have to head to Old Trafford to fulfil his ambition for silverware.

Evra said: "Little prince, if you want to become king you know where you should go. "Every year at Manchester is a guarantee of a title. "I have been here five years and cannot keep count of the trophies I've won - 12? 13? 15?"

But Wenger remains determined not to lose one of his star players to Ferguson. "One thing's for sure: we're not selling him to Manchester United," he said. "Are we still in discussions with Nasri? Yes, but we are still in disagreement over the financial contract on offer, which we haven't settled. "We are trying to extend his deal."Arsenal, who have Clichy in a similar position, had hoped to secure Nasri on a new five-year deal worth around £90,000 a week.

Both players' contracts expire in the summer of 2012 and Wenger is unwilling to allow them to leave for nothing under the Bosman ruling, as Mathieu Flamini did for Milan three years ago. Nasri played in France's 1-1 draw in Belarus on Friday and is expected to feature in tomorrow's friendly in Poland; talks will resume upon his return.

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Manchester United must be punished if they field weakened team against Blackpool, says Wolves chairman

Wolves were given a £25,000 suspended fine in February 2010 after Mick McCarthy rested 10 first-team regulars for a game he did not expect to win at Old Trafford. Wolves lost 3-0 and nine of the players were promptly recalled for the next fixture, against relegation rivals Burnley, which Wolves won. A precedent having been set, Morgan said he expected Manchester United to be fined if Sir Alex Ferguson rested Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic against Blackpool, who are fighting with Wolves, Wigan and Birmingham to avoid following West Ham down.

“It would be pretty hypocritical if they weren’t fined,’’ said Morgan, although he stressed his admiration for United. “United put out a second string XI against Schalke and it didn’t do Schalke much good.”"United are a very professional club and they’re not going to want to lose on the last day of the season, the day they get presented with the Premier League trophy. They might put their full XI out. Chances are they probably won’t.”Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, however, says it would be insulting to Blackpool for the FA to charge United.

Holloway said: “It’s pretty annoying to think United might be fined if they make a load of changes and we beat them. People are saying we cannot beat them, and I just can’t see that. It is massively disrespectful to us. "The suggestion is that they should always beat us, because we’re supposed to be crap. Don’t try telling me that.

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Manchester United winger Nani claims there is lack of freedom under Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United winger Nani has said he has not been able to fully express himself on the pitch under manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The Portuguese international has been told by his club boss to stop using as many tricks during games, something which the 24-year-old understands must be part of his responsibility to the team.

Speaking to Spanish sports magazine Don Balon, Nani said: "I try to enjoy playing now, but it is not always possible because I have a responsibility to the team. "But something of the street remains in me. It is not easy to show at United because Sir Alex does not allow very much freedom and I cannot do the tricks and things I did with my friends. "But when the game is under control I take a risk and it makes me very happy if things work out."

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Manchester United begin contract talks with top scorer Dimitar Berbatov

Manchester United have opened initial talks over a contract extension for Dimitar Berbatov. The 30-year-old Bulgarian was dropped from United’s starting line-up for the derby victory over Manchester City on Saturday but his agent Emil Danchev flew into Manchester over the weekend for talks with chief executive David Gill.

The 20-goal striker has 18 months left on his current contract worth around £100,000 a week and United are happy to extend the deal. However, they are unlikely to put a massive pay increase on the table, despite Wayne Rooney’s recent pay hike, due to Berbatov’s age.

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Manchester United's interest in Manuel Neuer could be scuppered by Schalke's contract negotiations

Neuer, who impressed during Germany’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa last summer, is on United’s shortlist alongside Ajax’s Maarten Stekelenburg and Atletico Madrid’s David de Gea to replace Edwin van der Sar when the 40 year-old retires at the end of this season. Neuer, 24, is also a target for Bayern Munich.

United and Bayern are ready to take advantage of Neuer’s contract situation at Schalke, with his deal due to expire in June 2012. It is understood that Neuer’s contract includes an escape clause that can be triggered by Champions League participants offering in excess of €15 million for the player.

However, the deal also allows Schalke to reject such an offer with the proviso that they increase Neuer’s €2 million-a-year salary by 20 per cent. With growing interest in their goalkeeper, however, Schalke are ready to open talks over a new deal. Felix Magath, the Schalke head coach, said: “He is definitely with us until 2012. But we are in conversation and will meet again in the spring.

“The discussions so far suggest that we have a chance to extend Manuel’s contract.”

United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele admitted this month that the club had identified three leading contenders to replace Van der Sar.

Liverpool's Pepe Reina has been considered by United, who are aware of the £20 million release clause in the Spaniard’s contract at Anfield, but the difficulties in prising a player from Liverpool, including the off-field furore that could affect any player moving between the clubs, has rendered Reina as an outsider to replace Van der Sar.

United could yet turn to Reina, who continues to interest Arsenal, should they fail to land any of their top three targets. Schalke’s determination to retain Neuer could prompt United to firm up their interest in Stekelenburg, who is expected to leave Ajax this summer, but Atletico youngster De Gea has reiterated his readiness to remain in Madrid.

The Spain Under-21 goalkeeper said: “If you’re comfortable in your club, you do not look for anything. Football is so that, when you feel comfortable in a club, there is no need to change. That’s my situation.”

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Manchester United boss thanks Carlisle Utd for looking after youngsters

In an exclusive interview with News & Star Sport, Ferguson revealed how impressed he has been with Blues boss Greg Abbott which has led to his willingness to send some of his future stars to the League One club.

Highly-rated left-back Joe Dudgeon is the latest Old Trafford kid to arrive at Carlisle on loan after being packed off by Ferguson to gain first-team experience.

The 20-year-old, who made his senior football debut in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Oldham Athletic, has followed in the footsteps of James Chester, who spent three months on loan at Carlisle before signing for Hull City last month in a £300,000 deal.

Corry Evans and Oliver Norwood are two other promising Manchester United youngsters who have been on loan at Carlisle.

The Manchester United supremo’s delight at how his young players have flourished during loan spells at Carlisle raises the tantalising prospect of more Fergie fledglings landing at Brunton Park.

Ferguson told News & Star Sport: “Greg is doing a really good job up there, and he is a young, positive manager. Carlisle look after our players very well and are a well organised club. They always keep us updated on how our players are progressing.

“We send our players out on loan to give them more playing time and Greg has done a great job with the players he has had from us.”

Ferguson is keen for his young players to get senior football experience with lower-league clubs like Carlisle rather than play reserve team football, and he has fostered a close working relationship with Abbott.

Abbott revealed last week that he had spent 20 minutes on the phone to his Manchester United counterpart while arranging Dudgeon’s loan move to Carlisle.

The Blues boss said: “The manager rang me personally to talk about him and he holds Joe in the highest regard.

“It is one of the pleasures of the job getting to speak to Sir Alex. He told us to keep things going and said if he could ever be of help he would try to help us. He likes the way we’ve done things.

“It was great that he took the time to ring as he has enough things to concentrate on. They are fighting for four trophies and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy isn’t one of them!”

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's drive can help us match Treble winners, insists Rio Ferdinand

United will stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to a club record-equalling 29 games if they avoid defeat against Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Unbeaten in the league since losing to Chelsea at Old Trafford last April, Ferguson’s team will match the run between December 1998 to October 1999 if they take a point or more against Gérard Houllier’s resurgent Villa.

During the record-breaking run in the Nineties, United won 20 and drew nine games before Chelsea thumped them 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

United have won 18 and drawn 10 of their league fixtures this time around, but their ability to rescue seemingly lost causes with fightbacks at Villa and Blackpool has been the stand-out feature.

Against both Villa and Blackpool United overturned a 2-0 deficit late in the game to emerge unbeaten and Ferdinand, who has declared himself fit to return on Tuesday night after missing the last three games in all competitions, insists that the determination to sustain the unbeaten run comes directly from Ferguson. “You never lose faith when you play for Manchester United,” Ferdinand said. “It’s in our make-up that the game is not over until the final whistle has blown and, until then, you try your hardest.

“It comes from the manager because the manager has got that desire and will to win. He has been here for almost 25 years and if he’s still got it, then why haven’t players that have only been here for a year, two years, 10 years, whatever?

“It comes from him and filters down through the club and that’s always the way it has been. That’s why you see so often that we can come back from adverse situations and create results like we did against Blackpool.

"If you do that week in, week out you get a bit of luck and you get your rewards.

“We’ve done it all season, gone goals behind and come back. We did it at Villa when we were 2-0 down and got a draw.

“During the Blackpool game last week, I’ve never had so many tweets in my life! People tweeting and saying ‘you’re this, you're that, you’re finished.’ But we showed otherwise.”

United are now 11/1 by bookmakers Betfair to emulate Arsenal’s Invincibles of 2003-04 by remaining unbeaten in the league for the rest of the season and leading goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov claims that confidence is growing within the squad that they can rise to the challenge.

“I remember Arsenal winning the title without losing a game and it was a tremendous run,” said Berbatov. “But I’m confident we can do it too. We know we have some difficult away matches, but I believe we’re capable of finishing without a single defeat.”

Ferguson is expected to restore his first choice back four to the starting line-up against Villa after making wholesale changes for Saturday’s FA Cup victory at Southampton.

But the United manager expects Villa, for whom £24 million new signing Darren Bent scored on his debut against Manchester City last week, to provide a stern test of his team’s unbeaten run.

Ferguson said: “Whatever you say about Bent, he’s certainly got a reasonable goal ratio at all his clubs. He cost a lot of money but that will be justified if he gets them into a far better position.

“When you are down there in the Premier League it’s not easy to get out of it, but two victories can make a difference and they are getting their squad back after injuries.”

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Dimitar Berbatov finally begins to make sense for Manchester United

Dimitar Berbatov seldom looks like a man in a hurry, but he has set the sort of pace that will take Manchester United five points clear in the Premier League if they beat Blackpool tonight. The Bulgarian has scored 17 times this season. More importantly still, he has done so at a time when Wayne Rooney has one goal in open play for the club.

By keeping the side buoyant, Berbatov has ensured that the dry spell for his team-mate is more curiosity than crisis. Rooney, so deeply involved in the 5-0 defeat of Birmingham City at the weekend, might just have rediscovered his true self before coming under great pressure. The purchase of Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur for £30.75m in 2008 looks as if it is making a little more sense.

His imagination and beautiful touch are assets any manager would covet, yet he breaches the sort of policy that now applies at Old Trafford. There is little, if any, money to be recouped on a player who had turned 28 before the end of his first season with United. It is odd now to think, too, that Sir Alex Ferguson was being asked last summer if he would off-load Berbatov. "No, no definitely not," said the manager. "He's a fantastic player."

And so he is, in many respects. There are too few performers in an era of hyper-energy who can still be called elegant, but the idea that Berbatov could be sold was not eccentric. He scored the moderate total of 26 goals over the course of his first two seasons. In the present campaign he has been on a spree, but there are some curious aspects to it. Any United forward would expect to do better at Old Trafford, but Berbatov is heavily dependant on home advantage. Fifteen of the 17 goals have come there, with eight of them in the matches against Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham.

He was not simply gorging himself since one of his three hat-tricks overcame Liverpool, who had levelled from 2-0 down. Berbatov is entitled to feel that he also has the attributes of a classic No10 who can prise open any defence. In at least one respect, however, the reliance on Berbatov is risky.

Common sense would suggest that the Champions League is his natural habitat since he is, after all, a smooth and cerebral figure, but the facts firmly oppose that view.

Berbatov has been unable to score in that competition since availing himself of a couple of goals during a 3-0 away victory over Aalborg in September 2008. It would be understandable if he were named among the substitutes when United meet Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome on 23 February. In the club's last outing in the knock-out phase of the Champions League, Berbatov did not start in either leg of the quarter-final with Bayern Munich.

He was introduced purely as an emergency measure at Old Trafford when Arjen Robben had trimmed United's lead to set up his team's victory in the tie on the away goals rule. Berbatov's role on such nights is also dictated by the virtually universal doctrine that there should be no more than one forward in the lineup for a key fixture. He lacks the vigour to clinch that role.

Berbatov's main contribution could be to have bought Rooney some time. It is uncanny that Ferguson has contrived to put United in such a good position this season. They are the joint-highest scorers, with Arsenal, in the Premier League, yet the main impression is of durability. They have had two away games against the other members of the current top five, taking goalless draws with no difficulty at Manchester City and Tottenham.

The Champions League, however, will demand expansiveness. Irrespective of Berbatov and the predatory promise of Javier Hernandez, it is essential that Rooney regains the old boldness in full. There were good reasons for him to recede considering the injuries that afflicted him throughout 2010. Ankle trouble has verged on the incessant and Rooney has started just 11 of United's 22 Premier League games this season.

Berbatov has covered well indeed for both the striker's absences and the tentativeness that has beset the England player when he is on the pitch, but that will not suffice for much longer. If United are to touch the higher level that will be essential in the Champions League, they must see Rooney become his old intuitive self again in the next month or two.

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Jack Wilshere says Manchester United can be caught

Arsenal's midfielder Jack Wilshere has warned Manchester United that his team are increasingly convinced they can overtake the leaders at the top of the Premier League table.

United were the only one of the top five teams to win this week and results left them with a two-point lead at the summit and four points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand. However, far from being deflated by Arsenal's failure to find a way through the massed ranks of Manchester City during Wednesday's 0-0 draw between the sides in second and third place, Wilshere said that both City's approach and his own team's performance increased Arsenal players belief that they can be crowned the best team in the country. The 18-year-old indicated the club could take a giant step to fulfilling that ambition by beating United when they travel to the Emirates Stadium on 30 April.

"We showed [against City] we can dominate games," said Wilshere. "At the end of the day, we wanted a goal but it's a point and we look forward to catching United. I think they will be delighted with the results but they have still got to come here so its still really open. When they come here, we can beat them."

Wilshere conceded that in order to be in a position to ensure that victory over United in April would turn the title race in their favour Arsenal must improve in terms of converting possession in goals. For years Arsenal have been accused of lacking the penetration to go with their intricate interplay and that allegation was made against them again as City successfully kept them at bay for 90 minutes. Wilshere, however, said Arsenal are addressing that problem to ensure it will not hamper them during the title run-in.

"Teams come here and they defend and they are scared of us, we have to learn to break them down," said Wilshere. "We work on that in training and we showed it [against City] – we just missed that killer edge in the box. But it'll come – we will get the goals in games like that because we know that teams will come here and defend. We have got quality strikers here with Robin [Van Persie], [Marouane] Chamakh and Nicklas [Bedntner]– we'll get the goals."

Wilshere highlighted last month's 3-1 demolition of Chelsea as the result that proved that Arsenal can deliver when it counts and suggested that their confidence will soar even further if they end a five-year trophy drought by winning the Carling Cup at the end of February. Arsenal face Ipswich Town in the the first leg of semi-final next week.

"After the Chelsea game we all thought this could be our season," said Wilshere. "Now we think it's a new year and a new start and we are really going to push on. We are undefeated this year and hopefully we can keep going like that. I think the Carling Cup is massive because we want to win something and if we can win something in February, it will give us confidence for the rest of the season."

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Manchester United will not be caught out when Edwin van der Sar leaves

Sir Alex Ferguson says he expects Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of this season but believes lessons learned from Peter Schmeichel's departure will prevent another goalkeeping crisis at Manchester United. Van der Sar was 40 in October and, despite recent mixed messages over his intentions when his contract expires next summer, has told Ferguson this will be his final campaign at Old Trafford. "We are planning for this being his last season," the United manager said today. "I expected it. It is amazing to be playing at this level at 40 years of age. You can only do it if you've got that structure and the mind. "To be able to programme himself and train the way he does is phenomenal. He's an outstanding man.

United have not discussed a possible coaching role with Van der Sar, although Ferguson indicated a position could be made available for the former Ajax, Juventus and Fulham goalkeeper. "He is a player that will be of interest because of his knowledge and standing in the game," said the Scot, who rates the Dutchman alongside Schmeichel as his most important keepers at Old Trafford and now faces a similar predicament over finding a permanent successor.

A procession of players failed to live up to the Dane's imposing reputation after his United exit in 1999, ranging from a World Cup winner in Fabien Barthez to calamities such as Massimo Taibi. Tomasz Kuszczak, who may also leave the club next summer, and Ben Foster failed to dislodge Van der Sar as No1. Although Anders Lindegaard has recently signed for £3.5m from the Norwegian club Aalesunds and there are high hopes for Ben Amos, Ferguson indicated a proven, top-class keeper will be on his transfer agenda next summer. David de Gea of Atlético Madrid and Schalke's Manuel Neuer are potential candidates.

"I think we have learned the lesson [from failing to replace Schmeichel]," Ferguson said. "I should have signed Van der Sar after Schmeichel. I made a mistake but now we think we know where we're going. Both of them have been magnificent. I've been very lucky to have had them both."

Ferguson gave no credence to rumours that David Beckham could return on loan during the MLS close season. "I don't think so with David at his age," he said. A more immediate aim for the United manager "is to be top of the league by 4 January. If we are, then we have done well."

The league leaders entertain Sunderland on Boxing Day, with games at Birmingham and West Bromwich Albion and at home to Stoke completing their festive campaign. Despite Tottenham's continued improvement, Ferguson believes United's closest challengers will come only from the usual suspects.

"There were indications last season when Tottenham got into the top four that things were changing and that elite four that people had spoken about for years had changed," he said. "And it looks as if it can change again because there's a battle for fourth place again. You have to recognise it's a different type of league but I don't think there'll be anyone outside of ourselves, Chelsea or Arsenal [challenging for the title]. I think those three will certainly be there.

"I know Harry [Redknapp] is talking up his chances very well at Tottenham but they're involved in the Champions League and it's a new thing for them. Particularly if they get through this next stage, it's not easy to manage European competition at that level and do the league programme and FA Cup ties. It's very difficult and usually your experience gets you through. [Manchester] City have got a chance, of course. That's the other team. And they've also got the Europa League but maybe they can buy in January. Harry could maybe buy as well because it's very difficult to manage them both."

Ferguson has no concerns over a rearranged date for United's visit to Chelsea, provided it is fair to both clubs' demanding schedules. The original game was postponed due to the snow last weekend and may not take place until the end of the season.

"I'm not concerned when it's played," said Ferguson. "So long as it's fair on both teams in the sense of congestion of fixtures when the game is actually played and wedging it between certain games. We've had to look at the fixtures in the last few days and it's quite a difficult one. It certainly seems like it's not going to be played until after March at least."

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Dimitar Berbatov: I would rather quit football than leave Manchester United

Dimitar Berbatov has claimed he would sooner walk away from football altogether than leave current club Manchester United. The £30 million striker is the Premier League’s top scorer this season with 11 goals but has divided fan opinion since he joined the Old Trafford club. But the Bulgarian, coming into the final 18 months of his contract, is not about to give up his No.9 shirt.

"I fought to have a chance to play for United and now I can only go down if I leave," Berbatov said, as quoted by the Telegraph. "Why I should do this? It would be better to retire."Berbatov, 29, has been named Bulgaria’s Footballer of the Year for the seventh time and in November became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score five goals in one match, after United’s 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has no time for retirement talk after beating Sir Matt Busby's record

The Manchester United manager, who celebrates his 69th birthday on New Year’s Eve, eclipsed Busby’s 8,810 days service as United manager on Sunday. And Ferguson will mark 25 years at Old Trafford if he continues to be in the charge of the club next season.

Having changed his mind on plans to retire at the end of the 2001-02 season, Ferguson has since claimed that he would not work beyond his 70th birthday. But with United now chasing a record 19th league title, the Scot admits that he has no idea of when he might call time on his management career. Ferguson said: “The older you get, the more worried you are about retiring. “You start to realise that, whilst you have got your health and good fitness, you should carry on in your job. All thoughts of retirement are in the back of my mind.

He described the decision to say he was going to go as “a mistake”, adding: “At the time there were some reasons for it. It was one of those things.”

United missed out on the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table following the postponement of Sunday’s clash with Premier League champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

But despite the growing threat from across Manchester in the shape of Roberto Mancini’s high-flying City team, Ferguson believes that Tottenham – who entertain United at White Hart Lane next month – can also challenge for the title this season.

He said: “It is a tough league, but do you want Manchester United and Chelsea or Arsenal to steamroller the league every season? “I think the public like what they’re seeing now, all of us dropping points, and you have also got the rise of Spurs.

“They have been fantastic since Harry [Redknapp] went there. They could have won some games and could have lost others, but there has been a real improvement by them. “As Harry says, why can’t they win the league? That is getting through to his players.”

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