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RVN Reporting For Duty

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects Ruud van Nistelrooy to report for pre-season training.

Ferguson was said to have fallen out with the Dutchman after repeatedly leaving him on the bench.

But speaking to club TV station MUTV, Sir Alex said:

“Most players at the World Cup have got a three-week break. Those reporting on 24 July are Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Gabriel Heinze, Edwin van der Sar and Ruud van Nistelrooy.”

Ferguson did not make any further comment, but the fact he included Van Nistelrooy in the list is significant.

It was widely thought United’s top goal scorer last season would be on his way during the summer following a rift apparently caused by his lame display in an FA Cup defeat by Liverpool.

After that game, Ferguson rarely gave him a start, preferring Louis Saha instead, and Van Nistelrooy later claimed he was told to stay away from Roy Keane’s end-of-season testimonial.

Asked in May if his Old Trafford career might be over, the 29-year-old told Dutch television:

“You could have that feeling but it’s not that certain. No-one has said that to me so far. What has happened is not a positive sign but as long as I can’t do anything about it I won’t be preoccupied.”

Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Tottenham and Newcastle were among the clubs said to be interested in signing Van Nistelrooy if he became available.

Ferguson could have an interesting few weeks ahead of him, with Cristiano Ronaldo due to report back for pre-season training four days after Rooney.

There was an altercation between both players in the World Cup quarter-final match between England and Portugal.

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Rossi Extends Contract

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Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi has agreed a two-year extension to his current contract.

The 19-year-old, who made five Premiership appearances for United last season, has signed a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2010.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, told the club website:

“We are delighted Giuseppe has signed a new contract, he represents the future of the club. Last year he had a remarkable season and he is developing all the time.”

Rossi joined United in July 2004 from Serie A club Parma, making his debut for the Red Devils in the Carling Cup tie against Crystal Palace in November that year.

He scored four goals in all competitions last season, including one in the Premiership against Sunderland, which helped United seal a 3-1 win.

Rossi, who also netted 30 times in 28 reserve team appearances last term, said: “It is great to have extended my contract with the best team in the world. I just hope to keep progressing and developing my career.”

To catch the latest news on Man Utd., visit the hottest soccer fan site on the net right now, Ji-SungPark.com, with its dedicated RSS feed.

Cristiano Wants To Leave MU

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Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo says he will join Real Madrid or Barcelona after making it clear he wants to leave Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old has been criticised in England for his role in the sending off of United team-mate Wayne Rooney when Portugal beat England in the World Cup.

“I should get out of Manchester as the circumstances are not right,” he said to the Sun.

“Nobody stood up for me and my desire is to play in Spain. Will it be Real or Barcelona? It will be one of them.”

Ronaldo claimed: “For some time I haven’t had any support from my chief executive (David Gill) or my coach (Sir Alex Ferguson). They should have come out in my defence but no-one did. I am calm, I know I have done a good job and I’ve grown a lot in this World Cup, from a physical point of view and a mental one. In the next few seasons I will be even better.”

Ronaldo is under contract at Old Trafford until 2010 and boss Sir Alex Ferguson said last week he expected the player to report for pre-season training.

“When people have been involved in a bid to become president at Madrid they have used clubs like ours.”

New Real manager Fabio Capello said it was good news that Ronaldo was considering a move to The Bernabeu.

“He is a Manchester United player but everyone wants to come to play here and I think he really wants to and this is good news for me,” said Capello.

“We will have to wait and see but at the moment I cannot say anything.”

Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon for �12.24m in August 2003.

Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said Ferguson was the ideal person to diffuse the Rooney/Ronaldo disagreement.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: “One of the greatest managers of all time should sort that problem out, and I don’t think he’s had too much difficulty in the past.

“What do you do on the first day of training? I think you would have to lighten the mood. There will be a few weeks now after the World Cup is over before Manchester United meet up, and I think there might be a time of reflection for both of them, and I honestly think that they should put it to the side.”

To catch the latest news on Man Utd., visit the hottest soccer fan site on the net right now, Ji-SungPark.com, with its dedicated RSS feed.

Lippi To Succeed SAF?

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According to some TV reports….

Marcello Lippi is being lined up to join Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Italy boss Lippi has told friends he will quit after Sunday�s World Cup final.

He is now being linked with a role alongside Old Trafford chief Fergie. And that could see him eventually succeed the Scot.

Fergie is a long-standing friend and huge admirer of the former Juventus manager.

He once said of the Italian: �Just looking into his eyes is enough to tell you he�s in command of himself and his professional domain.�

Ferguson, 64, is expected to relinquish the reins after 20 years in charge at the end of the coming season. Italian sources believe Lippi, 58, could either work in tandem with the United supremo or under him � with Fergie promoted to general manager.

A source close to Lippi said:

�He is not looking for a lucrative contract since he has achieved success at the highest level. And working abroad is the only thing that interests him. He will not find it diminishing to work either alongside or under another manager.�

To catch the latest news on Man Utd., visit the hottest soccer fan site on the net right now, Ji-SungPark.com, with its dedicated RSS feed.

Can Ronaldo Still Play For MU?

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Ronaldo would have to show huge resolve to turn public opinion back in his favour, even among Manchester United supporters, but his performance in Munich showed those commodities are not in short supply.

He was a major threat to France, particularly in the first half, a lone source of hope in a Portugal side that was too lightweight to threaten a serious knock-out blow to the rejuvenated 1998 champions.

The irony is that Ronaldo is the sort of player Sven-Goran Eriksson would have killed for to add an extra dimension to his squad.

Sadly, the other face of Ronaldo was also in evidence. The amateur dramatics – actually, let’s call it diving – that earned him the contempt of thousands inside this space-age home of Bayern Munich.

It is a sorry scar on the game of a lavishly-talented individual, and it is true there may be no way back for him in England as he continues, with perhaps a little too much zeal, to be set up as next season’s Premiership hate figure.

Ronaldo will have to grow a thick skin to survive the treatment he is likely to receive, although he appeared to grow with every round of abuse in Munich.

And yet, it may be something he can turn to his advantage, given his recent flirtation with Real Madrid.

If Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester for Madrid, what better excuse than to say life is now impossible in England?

It may well be – and The Bernabeu is not an unattractive alternative.

The sorry chapter in this saga is that Ronaldo showed again against France that there is a potentially stunning talent attempting to escape from the variety of feints, step-overs and dives that are a blot on his landscape.

Ronaldo may have cried in Munich – unfortunately for him and his talent, many others were laughing.

To catch the latest news on the World Cup., visit the hottest soccer fan site on the net right now, Ji-SungPark.com, with its dedicated RSS feed.