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Ryan Giggs signs new Manchester United contract extension

Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year contract extension, taking the 38-year-old’s Manchester United career into a 22nd year.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Ryan is a marvellous player.
“In many ways, he epitomises all my teams here at United.
“He has constantly re-invented himself, adapted to the changing nature of the game and retained that desire and hunger for success.”
Former Wales international Giggs, who made his United debut in March 1991, said: “When I signed my first contract, I never thought I’d be able to play at United for 22 years.”

SOURCE: BBC Sport

It is quite phenomenal that in this day and age a player can complete at the highest level for such a prolonged period and clearly Sir Alex Ferguson is still very aware of the Welshman’s ability to make an impact. Thus far this season the 38 year old has made 22 appearances, albeit many from the bench, and has scored three.

The Man United man has adapted his game expertly, moving from a marauding wing role to a more balanced midfield position where he can use his great footballing knowledge to overcome any loss of pace.

Giggs has now notched up an incredible 898 appearances for the Old Trafford club and netted 165 times.

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Wayne Rooney – Coleen Rooney

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Spurs eyeing up Rodgers as potential Redknapp replacement

Full story: FootyBunker

Aston Villa have failed to extend the loan deal of LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane after the Major League Soccer side rebuffed their request to increase his stay.

Full story: Express and Star

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Manchester United have received a fine boost with the news that Tom Cleverley is set for a return to first team action.

Cleverley, who is 22 years of age, has been out of action since October with an ankle problem, and his likely return could not be better timed.

The Red Devils play arch rivals Liverpool this weekend, and with the tension between the teams even more heightened than usual thanks to the Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra incident of racist language.

Liverpool have stood firmly behind their man, with Kenny Dalglish saying Suarez never should have been punished in the first place, but it is now expected that the Uruguayan will start the game.

It will be his first appearance since his ban, and with Liverpool having won the last encounter between the two sides last month with a score of 2-1, they will be even more confident with the return of their talisman and most creative player.

A Manchester United side containing the likes of Cleverley and Paul Scholes from the start though would be likely to dominate possession against Liverpool’s more workmanlike midfield, and Saturday’s battle will be intriguing to say the least.

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Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has again discussed the possibility of a Manchester United transfer, but indicated that he was more likely to move to the United States when he leaves Italy.

The Netherlands international playmaker has flirted with the Red Devils for almost a year, as it was believed Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to replace Paul Scholes upon his retirement, but a move never materialised.

“There have never been any concrete contacts with Manchester United,” Sneijder said to Dutch broadcaster Nos. “I see everything, I am not blind, but there is nothing concrete right now.

“I am happy at Inter, but we will see. I currently have no contacts with other clubs and I am living day by day.

“If on the last day of the transfer window an offer had arrived, maybe I would have left.

“The truth is that I feel at home at Inter, but I do not know where I will play next season.”

As for his potential Major League Soccer move, Sneijder was decidedly coy on a timeframe for things to be put into motion.

“A spell in the USA? That is something I think about, but only in the future.”

“I do not think where I will play next season. I have been in the USA with Yolanthe [Sneijder's wife] because of her work.

“We will surely discuss this in the future, but not now.”

Sneijder will be 28 years old in the summer, but the fact that there is an unwritten law at Old Trafford warning against player recruitment above the age of 27 may scupper any chances the Dutchman would move there anyway.

It appears more likely that he will remain at Internazionale until his contract expires before departing for the MLS.

How close Wesley Sneijder was to a Manchester United transfer we may never know.

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Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal sure to give up on attacker who may well be heading for a Russian return.

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Chelsea admit defeat in hunt for Brazilian hitman

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Aston Villa eyeing Premier League stalwart as defensive reinforcement

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AC Milan are leading the chase to sign Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli and hope to clinch his signature during the summer, according to reports in Italy.

Full story: talkSPORT

Demba Ba insists he is happy at Newcastle and is not looking to cash in on his signing-of-the-season status with a big money move away.

Full story: Daily Mirror

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Neven Subotic ‘targeted by Man United for summer transfer’
Neven Subotic is set to be the subject of a £16.5 million bid from Manchester United in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Germany.
The Borussia Dortmund centre-back has emerged as one of the most in-demand defenders in Europe over the past year, and was a target for Chelsea last month.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been tracking his progress for some time, after Nemanja Vidic provided a glowing reference for his fellow Serbian.
It now appears Ferguson will firm up his interest by making a formal bid for the 23-year-old at the end of the season.
Subotic is contracted to Dortmund until 2014 and it is believed the Bundesliga champions value him at closer to £20 million

SOURCE: Metro

Neven Subotic is one half of the Bundesliga’s most consistent centre back pairing, with the Serbian and team-mate Mats Hummels working wonders at Borussia Dortmund. Last term the duo helped Jurgen Klopp’s side to the title, conceding just 22 goals in 34 matches.

Indeed that pairing is once again in full swing as Borussia Dortmund find themselves top of a congested table again, having let in only 14 goals in 20 matches and therefore it’s no surprise that Sir Alex Ferguson would be keen on a player dubbed the ‘Next Nemanja Vidic’.

With Rio Ferdinand experiencing up and down form and injury worries and Vidic also struggling to keep himself free of knocks, and currently out for the rest of the season, a move for Subotic would make a great deal of sense.

Chris Smalling has seemingly worked better as a right back and Phil Jones has impressed greatly when used in a midfield role, leaving even more scope for the signing of the 23 year old.

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FC Basel winger Xherdan Shaqiri is unlikely to move to either Manchester United or Liverpool in the summer, despite both clubs being heavily linked with signing him over the last year or so.

Instead, Shaqiri is set to join Bayern Munich – at least according to his brother and agent Erdin Shaqiri.

“Right now, Bayern is the best club for Xherdan [to sign for], but it is clear he can only develop further abroad,” Erdin Shaqiri said to Basler Zeitung.

“He must take the step this summer, because to play four seasons in the Swiss league against the same teams isn’t enough [to test Shaqiri].”

Erdin Shaqiri clearly sees that FC Basel is not the best place for his brother’s development, but it is strange that he is publicly announcing interest from the club Basel and Xherdan will face in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 next week.

Bayern Munich appear to be the only team to have submitted a serious offer, but some informal approaches have come in too.

“There have been some requests that weren’t serious,” added Erdin Shaqiri.

Perhaps if Manchester United and Liverpool joined Bayern in submitting serious offers, Xherdan Shaqiri could have a bigger decision on his hands.

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