Friday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Madchester mayhem must stop: City and United warned over derby-day antics
Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini will be told to keep a lid on their players’ derby-day goal celebrations after a warning from Manchester police.
Manchester United face bitter rivals City at Eastlands in a lunchtime showdown, which is one of the most important derby games in years.
It emerged last night that Greater Manchester Police have contacted both Barclays Premier League clubs this week, telling them that there must be no repeat of the provocative player behaviour that has marred the fixture this season.
Two Carling Cup meetings between the teams in January featured crowd trouble inside and outside Eastlands and Old Trafford that Manchester police had not
witnessed for some years and senior officers believe the behaviour of some players did not help.
In a league meeting between the teams last September, City striker Craig Bellamy clashed with a fan on the pitch at Old Trafford, while United skipper Gary Neville was warned by the FA for the way he celebrated his team’s winning goal.
Then, in the Carling Cup at Eastlands in January, City’s former United star Carlos Tevez celebrated the first of his two goals by running provocatively along the touchline and exchanging gestures with former team-mate Neville. In the second leg, Bellamy was hit by a bottle.
The police’s move is not without precedent in Manchester and assistant chief constable Ian Hopkins said: ‘Our main aim is to ensure it is an enjoyable experience for all fans.
‘This is a high-profile fixture and we have been working closely with Manchester City Football Club to ensure the day passes off peacefully.’
City have been boosted this week by a return to training for Wayne Bridge who has been out for a month with a knee problem. The former England left back will start tomorrow’s game.
Meanwhile, manager Mancini was yesterday warned about his own behaviour by the FA after admitting a charge of improper conduct.
The Italian was charged after barging in to Everton manager David Moyes towards the end of a game between the teams on March 24.
He was also handed a £20,000 fine, suspended until the end of the 2011-12 season.

Manchester City Set to Make Surprise £22m Move for Oscar Cardozo
Manchester City have set their sights on Benfica goal machine Oscar Cardozo. Roberto Mancini has placed the Paraguayan onto his ever growing summer wish list. The Eastlands outfit appear to have no financial limitations and even a rather steep valuation placed on the 26 year old will not scare off their interest.
Having scored 72 goals in the space of a little under three seasons Cardozo has attracted interest from a number of potential suitors and his recent exploits in the Europa League have brought a wider audience to his abilities.
The former Newell’s Old Boys man has helped Benfica to within sight of the Portuguese title, which would be only their second championship in 15 seasons, netting 21 goals in just 25 starts. The tall rangy striker would no doubt be able to deal with the physical nature of the Premier League but his ability to fall to the ground at the merest hint of a challenge may make him a target of the boo boys.
Mancini already has a host of top notch goalscorers to call upon but is likely to lose Robinho, Valeri Bojinov, Benjani and Caicedo who are all out on loan at present. Roque Santa Cruz may also be set to leave the club after failing to get a foot hold in the first team.

TRANSFER BOLLOX
Real Madrid plan to make a stunning £90m bid for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney - not to mention wages of £250,000 a week for five years - and also have England boss Fabio Capello in their sights. The Sun

United are keeping a close eye in James Milner's contract negotiations at Aston Villa as Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson prepares to reshape his Old Trafford squad this summer. Daily Telegraph

Italian giants Juventus will seek to tempt Liverpool's under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez with a deal worth £16m over four years, plus a spending kitty of £70m. Daily Mail

Barcelona are plotting a raid on Arsenal this summer, with full-back Gael Clichy - not midfielder Cesc Fabregas - their top target. Daily Mail

Fabregas and manager Arsene Wenger have been left incensed by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood claim that Fabregas "would not even get in" the Barcelona team. The Sun

Young Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere has told Wenger he wants to stay on loan at Bolton if he cannot get first-team football at the Emirates Stadium.The Sun

OTHER BOLLOX
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has announced he will take legal action against a Spanish television program, "categorically" denying accusations he held wild parties before and after the defeat to rivals Barcelona. Daily Mirror

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon claims his is fit to return from a groin injury and play his first game of 2010 when Spurs host Chelsea on Saturday.The Sun

The Premier League has moved to introduce tough new measures to flush out potentially "unfit" club investors in the wake of growing criticism over poor ownership and spiralling debt. The Times

Broadcaster ESPN will consider supporting radical innovations to the FA Cup including moving the latter rounds to midweek and scrapping replays. Daily Telegraph

Sunderland striker Darren Bent is to wed Sir Alex Ferguson's former daughter-in-law Nadine Ferguson, who separated from Sir Alex's son Darren in 2007. Nadine announced the news on social networking site Twitter.
The Sun