Ferguson wants glory for Man Utd

Ferguson wants Man Utd to go for glory against Barcelona

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged his Manchester United side to write a new chapter in the club's rich history.
United face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday in the Nou Camp - where they last won the trophy in 1999.
Ferguson said: "They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I don't think it's lost on any of them.
"What is more important is that they can shape their own history. I think they are good enough to do that."
He added: "It is almost 10 years since we won the final. The team of today do not need to worry about the past and be reminded of the past.
"They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I do not think it is lost on any of them.
Cristiano Ronaldo says the quality of the modern-day side can only be gauged at the end of the season.
United are attempting a Premier League and Champions League double, with boss Ferguson claiming his squad is the best he has had at his disposal.
"I also think that this is the most talented team," said winger Ronaldo, 23. "But you can only confirm this at the end of the season, by what was won."
Ronaldo has been in inspirational form for United this season, scoring 38 goals during the campaign.
On the way, he has overtaken George Best's record of 32 goals in a season by a winger at the club, which was set in 1968. United, who are being pushed by Chelsea in the battle for England's top-flight crown, achieved the Treble in 1999 but Ronaldo has played down making any comparisons with Red Devils teams of yesteryear for the time being.
"There is a lot of talent, I think that we are going along the right path," added Ronaldo.
"Game after game we have shown that we have a fantastic team, with a lot of talent and magnificent players, but at the end of the season we will be able to provide a definite answer if this team is the best Manchester United side of all time.
"If we win the Champions League or the Premier League we will have a better idea."

Everton complete £2m Pienaar deal

Everton have completed a £2m permanent transfer for on-loan midfield man Steven Pienaar.
The 26-year-old South African international has agreed a three-year contract after a successful season at Goodison Park.

Pienaar always hoped to remain in the Premier League

Pienaar had earlier expressed fears that the deal had stalled, but Everton boss David Moyes was always confident a deal was in place.
Moyes said: "Steven is one of the reasons our football has improved." He had been linked with Arsenal, Newcastle and Valencia but insisted he was happy to extend his stay at Goodison Park.
Pienaar, a product of the South African arm of Ajax's youth academy, has played 35 games this season scoring twice so far.

Ronaldinho move to Milan in doubt

Ronaldinho's season has been ended by injury

Ronaldinho's move to AC Milan could be in jeopardy as the Italian club have failed to agree a transfer fee with Barcelona during preliminary talks.
The 28-year-old Brazilian playmaker, who has been linked to Manchester City, has agreed personal terms with Milan.
However, the European champions' chief executive Adriano Galliani told Sky Italia: "We had a conference call. The figures haven't fallen into place.
"Maybe Ronaldinho won't come and a main striker arrives."
Former world player of the year Ronaldinho has had a difficult season at the Nou Camp.
He has been dogged by injury and fitness problems, starting only 13 of Barcelona's 30 league games, and earlier this month a leg injury ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. Milan need to boost their attacking options as Brazil striker Ronaldo is sidelined for a lengthy period with a knee injury, while 34-year-old Filippo Inzaghi is in the twilight of his career.
However, they face competition for Ronaldinho's signature as city rivals and Serie A leaders Inter Milan are also reported to be interested in the former Paris St Germain player.
Galliani said he did not believe Ronaldinho would be deterred by the prospect of playing in the Uefa Cup next season. AC Milan are currently fifth in Serie A, outside a Champions League place. "Ronaldinho went to Barcelona when they were in the Uefa Cup. It happens to all the great European clubs, I hope it doesn't happen to Milan," added Galliani.
"Anyway, Ronaldinho is a Barcelona player, not a Milan player."

Judge us on silverware - Ronaldo

Ronaldo has 38 goals so far this season

Cristiano Ronaldo says the quality of the Manchester United side can only be gauged at the end of the season.
United are attempting a Premier League and Champions League double, with boss Sir Alex Ferguson claiming his squad is the best he has had at his disposal.
"I also think that this is the most talented team," said winger Ronaldo, 23, whose side face Barcelona in their Champions semi-final on Wednesday.
"But you can only confirm this at the end of the season, by what was won."
Ronaldo has been in inspirational form for United this season, scoring 38 goals during the campaign.
On the way, he has overtaken George Best's record of 32 goals in a season by a winger at the club, which was set in 1968. United, who are being pushed by Chelsea in the battle for England's top-flight crown, achieved the Treble in 1999 but Ronaldo has played down making any comparisons with Red Devils teams of yesteryear for the time being.
"There is a lot of talent, I think that we are going along the right path," added Ronaldo.
"Game after game we have shown that we have a fantastic team, with a lot of talent and magnificent players, but at the end of the season we will be able to provide a definite answer if this team is the best Manchester United side of all time.
"If we win the Champions League or the Premier League we will have a better idea."

Players are backing Grant - Terry

Skipper John Terry insists Chelsea's players are 100% behind manager Avram Grant as they prepare for a crucial few days that will define their season.
The Blues play Liverpool on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield, before a Premier League showdown with Manchester United.
Terry claimed reports of player unrest at the club were wide of the mark.
"These suggestions are laughable - we speak openly and things are sorted out there and then," he said.
"We are totally behind the manager. There are no people walking out the door and talking behind each other's backs.
"It is bizarre because since Avram took over, one thing we've done is that if any players are unhappy or have a problem, we get together and speak our minds." Despite his team reaching the Champions League final four and lying a close second in the Premier League behind Man Utd, Grant remains unpopular with sections of Chelsea's support.
But if he can guide Chelsea to triumph at the third time of asking in a Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, the Israeli may yet win those fans over.
Terry pledged Chelsea will go to Anfield looking to attack.
"We are coming here to win the game, not to shut up shop - we want to score goals and put the pressure right on Liverpool.
"It's going to be tough for us, but the away goals we can possibly take back to the Bridge will help us in the long run.
"We have shown great character and togetherness. We have got the players to go on and win the game and progress to the next stage. "We have lost to Liverpool on the two previous occasions and that burning feeling is something that will never go away, but one thing that will ease it is to go on and reach the final and lift the trophy.
"That trophy is something I want to get my hands on as Chelsea captain and for the club to go down in history."
Terry admitted: "We've had our ups and downs over the course of the season.
"But we have proved that whatever team is on the pitch, we have enough strength, character and big players to go on and win."
Grant is refusing to dwell on Chelsea's past Champions League defeats against Liverpool.
"We can make history and we will concentrate on this and not about anything else," he said.
"We lost here twice but that is history, and now we can create it. That is what is important.
"We have come a long way since we drew against Rosenborg and now we can create history - and this makes me excited."
Chelsea have also been boosted by the news that Frank Lampard will return to the squad. The 29-year-old has missed his side's last game to be with his mother who is suffering from pneumonia, and Grant was full of praise for the England midfielder.

Grant has Lampard (left) available to play against Liverpool

"I respect very much Frank and what he is doing for the club," said Grant.
"It is not an easy situation. He has given everything for the club and trained by himself.
"I gave him all the freedom to do as he wanted. Sometimes there are more important things than football, but he is available to play."

Football players robbed of £2,500

Police are investigating if the dressing room doors were unlocked

Footballers have had £2,500 in cash stolen from their dressing rooms during a Southampton Football Club home game.
Police were called to St Mary's Stadium shortly after the end of the match against Burnley on Saturday.
Five home and nine away players had cash stolen from their belongings in the changing rooms during the second half of the Championship match.
Hampshire Constabulary said it was investigating whether the doors were unlocked and was studying CCTV footage.
A Southampton Football Club spokesman said: "We can confirm there was an incident which we are investigating but we cannot comment further until we have more details."
Club officials, security staff and stewards were helping police with their inquires.
Police said there did not appear to be any witnesses to the thefts, which took place sometime after the second half started at 1600 BST.

Lampard and Gerrard in Euro boost

Lampard and Gerrard are set to face each other in Tuesday's game

England midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard will be available for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final clash between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Lampard missed two Chelsea games last week to be at the hospital bedside of his mother, who has pneumonia.
But his agent Steve Kutner said in a statement: "Although still very ill, her condition has now stabilised."
Gerrard has been passed fit for Liverpool after training on Monday following his neck injury. The Reds skipper missed Saturday's 2-0 win over Fulham because of the problem but is now set to start at Anfield.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirmed Gerrard's fitness at a news conference on Monday.
The Spaniard also made light of rumours that Chelsea could be set to bid for Gerrard for a third time at the end of this season.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has described him as "the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team". Benitez said: "We have enough experience to know that if anyone asks me or Avram about a good player, we will say they're a good player.
"If I was asked about (Didier) Drogba or (Frank) Lampard, I would say that they're a very good player.
"When we played against Inter Milan (in the last 16), people were saying that Inter wanted Gerrard, and hopefully it will be the same in the final against Barcelona or Manchester United.
"Stevie is a fantastic player and he's 100% focused on his career with Liverpool. "He's fit for the game. Maybe after he's scored the winning goal in the semi-final, maybe he will be worth more."
Lampard is likely to be in the starting XI for the Blues after missing the Premier League matches against Wigan and Everton.
His return is a boost for Grant, with German international midfielder Michael Ballack doubtful because of a hamstring problem.