ROUND-UP
City will be aiming to score the 100th goal of a remarkable campaign when Cardiff visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and the press can talk of little else.
The incisive, stylish brand of football that Blues fans have been witnessing all season has captured the attention of the media, and the guessing games have begun over who will hit the crucial strike to take City into treble figures.
After overcoming Blackburn 5-0 in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday to take the tally to 99, Manuel Pellegrini’s men are on target to hit the magic number at record-breaking pace.
To celebrate this remarkable achievement, we’ve put together a handy infographic on City’s goal glut – check it out here.
Clearly inspired by City’s style, the MEN’s Mike Keegan explains how the Blues’ are “redefining” football.
Keegan writes: “Let's start with the Premier League. When Chelsea (those great entertainers) scored 103 goals in 2009/10 it was the first time a century had been passed since 1963 when Spurs, who finished second, plundered 111.
“Manuel Pellegrini's men, with to 17 to play, already have 57 under their belts.”
He adds: “In all competitions, United's Busby Babes hold the record with 143 in 1956/57 which is also under threat.
“There is rampant rhythm with the Blues, who are marching to a tune not heard before.
“A look at Europe's top dogs shows the Blues way ahead of nearest rivals including Barcelona (81), Real Madrid (77) and Bayern Munich (74).
“It would appear that the blood and thunder Premier League, with its emphasis on attack rather than defence, is the perfect environment for Pellegrini's explosive philosophy.”
The DSSC picks up a similar theme, although they prefer the idea of blasting to exploding – no need for so much violence, guys.
Reports Neil Moxley: “There are some sporting records which are broken by a few centimetres, a fingertip or by a matter of seconds.
“And then there is the attempt by Manchester City to blast their way into goalscoring history.
“If, as seems probable, the ton is reached against Cardiff City this Saturday, the club will have beaten every other one of its rivals to the figure by a huge margin.
“For this, you have to doff your cap to Senor Pellegrini.”
We’ll give the final word to one Micah Richards, who is appreciating the feast even more for having seen the famine.
The defender remembers 2007, when the Blues experienced the now infamous home goal drought, when supporters didn’t witness a league goal after New Year’s Day.
Martyn Zeigler writes in the Independent: “Defender Micah Richards admits it is in stark contrast to his early days at the club where in 2007 they failed to score in their last eight league games of the season at home.
“Richards, 25, said: ‘That was under Stuart Pearce. We didn't score for something like five months here. It was ridiculous! How times have changed.
"For me, every day I come in and I see the players I'm playing with and you compare them to the players I was playing with seven years ago and they're all internationals now. It's a different kettle of fish.”
It certainly is, Micah. Here’s to 100, whenever it may arrive!
Manchester City's Micah Richards: There are no weaknesses in this squad
Manuel Pellegrini's free-scoring side are a far cry from Stuart Pearce's team. Micah Richards is savouring the good times
Micah Richards can remember the days when, try as they might, Manchester City simply could not score at home but they seem part of a very different world. After Wednesday night's 5-0 FA Cup demolition of Blackburn Rovers, the defender cast his mind back to spring 2007.
Back then City, managed by Stuart Pearce, failed to score in their last eight league games of the 2006-07 season at the then City of Manchester Stadium, going 12 hours and 18 minutes without a goal. Indeed they scored just 10 Premier home goals all season and 29 in total, with Joey Barton their top scorer after netting only six times.
"Under Stuart Pearce we didn't score for something like five months here," said Richards, whose prolific side are challenging for the quadruple having got 99 goals this season in all competitions. "It was ridiculous! How times have changed, eh?
"A massive thanks to Sheikh Mansour for changing everything and for coming in and investing in the squad. It's good times and every player wants to be here because this is the club to play for at this moment in time."
As a rare survivor from the old days, Richards has a different perspective from many team-mates. "You savour these good times all the more because of back then," he said. "Every day, I come in and I see the players I'm playing with and compare them to the players I was playing with seven years ago. My team-mates are all internationals now. It's a different kettle of fish."
For a start Manuel Pellegrini is blessed with what sometimes seems an embarrassment of riches. "I just hope we stay together and grow as a squad and try and keep everyone happy because it's hard when everyone is not playing every week," said Richards. "But if we can keep this squad together, we will do great things. I think we're doing so well because we have such strength in depth. There's quality all over the place."
Not that he is getting carried away. "We don't want to get too excited about the quadruple," said Richards. "We want to stay in every competition and I think with the squad we have, we should still be in every competition. Apparently our second-string team beat Blackburn 5-0. I don't think there are any weaknesses in the squad."
City's strikers represent a particular strength. "I think they've got everything," he enthused. "I think Sergio [Agüero] has pace and power. Edin [Dzeko] is a good finisher and good in the air. [Álvaro] Negredo runs around like a man possessed and is a great finisher. And [Stevan] Jovetic has skill and technique. They've all got something, some sort of gift to bring to the team and it just seems to be clicking at the moment.
"If we want to win the league, if we want to win trophies, they are going to be key. Last season it was more about defenders doing well. I think this season it is more about the attackers and that's why we look so good.
"It's hard to say if there are three better strikers in Europe because Luis Suárez is up there for me. Robin van Persie when he's on fire, and even Wayne Rooney. I know he's a Red, but when he's on fire, there are few players much better than him."
99 BOLLOX
City have been entertaining fans with stylish, attacking football all season, and are now on the brink of reaching 100 goals for the campaign at record-breaking pace.
The thumping 5-0 victory over Blackburn in the Capital One Cup took the Blues' tally to 99 in all competitions, and Manuel Pellegrini's men will be aiming to hit the century when they host Cardiff at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
If they manage it, they'll be the first English team in history to hit treble figures by the end of January.
City have been virtually unstoppable on home turf so far this term - Arsenal and Spurs were both hit for six, while the Blues put another five past Wigan in the Capital One Cup and four past Manchester United in September.
To celebrate this remarkable goalfest, take a look at some of the facts and figures of this season's strikes with our handy infographic...
Manchester City quadruple a matter of time - Kompany
The Belgian believes Manuel Pellegrini's men will win four trophies in a single season sooner or later, and hailed the Chilean's attacking focus since arriving in the summer
Vincent Kompany believes Manchester City will win four major trophies in a campaign, even if they cannot do it this season.
City put one foot in the Capital One Cup final last week when they thrashed West Ham 6-0 in the first leg of their semi-final, while they also qualified for the FA Cup fourth round with a 5-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, sit second in the Premier League and remain in contention in the Champions League.
Manuel Pellegrini says City can become the first English club to win those four competitions this season and, while Kompany would not set a timeline, the Belgian defender remains confident they can do it one day.
"We can't promise it will happen now, but eventually it will have to happen," the Belgian told reporters.
"We are the players at the moment who have been chosen to do it. If it's not us then it will be other players.
"This club definitely has a target to win every competition possible."
City's attacking prowess has been critical to their success so far during the 2013-14 season with Pellegrini's side scoring their 99th goal in all competitions in the win over Blackburn.
And Kompany has hailed Pellegrini's attacking focus in his first season at City since the Chilean manager replaced Roberto Mancini at the Etihad.
"He's very offensive-minded and I think that's shown in our results and the way we play," Kompany added.
"I think we have been one of the best teams to watch in the Premier League so far."
Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko Again a Trying Crowd for Pellegrini
Manchester City recently welcomed supernova striker Sergio Aguero back to the squad after a month gone nursing a calf injury. For most clubs, this development would be an unconditional godsend.
As always seems the case for City, though, it is never as easy as that. Three really is a crowd for City's strike force.
Aguero's return means one of City's other two prolific strikers, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko, is about to lose playing time—probably a lot of it.
That will be harsh justice for either Negredo or Dzeko. Both men have performed exceptionally well in Aguero's absence, coincidentally scoring eight goals apiece in all competitions in that month.
In advance of the Sky Blues' return to Premier League play this weekend, City manager Manuel Pellegrini was asked what he makes of this blush-worthy wealth of striking talent at his disposal. As ever, Pellegrini wondered aloud what the problem could possibly be.
"For me, that is not a problem. It is a problem when you don't have players to choose. I think that Alvaro and Edin are in a very good moment. It is very important for the team that Sergio came back," Pellegrini observed dryly, according to Richard Jolly of ESPNFC.com.
Of course it is not a problem right now, because so far none of the three world-class strikers has recently been told he is not good enough to play over the other two.
In fact, Aguero's return against Blackburn Rovers in City's last match, a third-round FA Cup replay, was the best of all worlds for Pellegrini.
Who will lose the most playing time with Sergio Aguero's return from injury?
Edin DzekoAlvaro NegredoNeither—Aguero, Dzeko and Negredo will play equallySubmit Votevote to see results
Aguero was eased back into action and scored within a minute of taking the pitch. Negredo and Dzeko had already claimed a brace apiece before Aguero scored.
Perfect.
But it was not that long ago—November, to be exact—that Dzeko was confessing to his role in chasing former City boss Roberto Mancini out of the Etihad. "I didn’t feel happy about what had happened to me over the last two years. I did not spend enough time on the field," Dzeko said, per Simon Mullock of the Mirror.
So to borrow from the epic 1980s song "Your Love," "Just 'cause you're right that don't mean I'm wrong."
Pellegrini is right to be thrilled at the depth of quality options he has at striker with four trophy quests still underway.
But he still needs to keep an ear to the ground to suss out and stamp out any discontent from the one who ultimately proves three a crowd.
Manchester City's Youngsters Are Also Scoring Outrageous Goals
Zackarias Faour is making waves in the Manchester City under-16 side, and the Swede underlined his potential with a ridiculous goal for the youth team against ASPQ this week.
His placed, curling effort takes audacity to think of, let alone to pull off.
The full City team have already bagged 99 goals this season, and if the future includes goals like this, then the club is in good shape.
Quinn: Pellegrini has brought harmony to Man City
Former Manchester City striker Niall Quinn claims Manuel Pellegrini's calm presence has brought harmony to the Blues.
The Chilean arrived at the Etihad last summer, following Roberto Mancini’s departure, and is leading the club on a historic quadruple chase this season.
Mario Balotelli’s training ground bust-up, along with Carlos Tevez’s refusal to come off the bench in a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, marred the Italian’s time at City.
And former Maine Road favourite Quinn claims the ex-Real Madrid chief has calmed the atmosphere around the club.
“There’s more harmony in the squad under Pellegrini,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “There was too much public fighting the year after they won the Premier League title.
“Mancini seemed to have problems on his mind. There was always something up at press conferences. Photographers would have a field day every time they looked at training. There was always someone fighting, whether that’s Balotelli or Tevez.
“There was a bomb going off every week at Manchester City.
“Pellegrini coming has brought harmony into the dressing room,” he added. “There are smiles on the players’ faces now.
“There are some great things going at man city and the manager deserves the credit" Sky's TalkSHIT
Why Leeds United are bigger than Manchester City - this week's Alternative Table
This week's alternative Premier League table features a number of teams which aren't even in the Premier League
We all know that teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have huge followings abroad, but how do they fare domestically in the UK?
This week's alternative table is based on the most popular teams in the UK when it comes to merchandise sales, the information has been compiled by Amazon.co.uk, and the results throw up a few surprises.
A number of clubs outside of the Premier League are far more popular than some of the top-flight's biggest sides.
Perhaps most noteworthy is Leeds United's standing above Manchester City AND Newcastle United. While the Yorkshire club took a 6-0 pasting from Sheffield Wednesday last week, this news will at least give something for Leeds fans to smile about.
There are no prizes for guessing which team is at the top of the list though, Manchester United take the top spot ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Though the top-selling Manchester United merch on Amazon.co.uk is not a football shirt, and it doesn't even feature a Manchester United logo, it's a Class of '92 poster featuring Becks, Giggsy, the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
So, for the first time ever, here's a Mirror Football Alternative Premier League Table of the week featuring clubs which aren't even in the Premier League:
All that's left for me to do is run and hide from all the Man City fans who will undoubtedly be angry at the headline of this article...
Neymar doubt for City-Barca clash
Barcelona could be without Neymar for their Champions League game against Manchester City after the forward suffered an injury on Thursday.
The Brazilian was playing for the Catalan club against Getafe in the Copa Del Rey when he fell awkwardly and had to be substituted.
A club statement revealed that Neymar had suffered "a sprain in the peroneal tendons of his right ankle" and will have a scan on Friday to reveal the extent of the damage.
Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino moved to play down the injury, telling Spanish newspaper AS: "We do not think that, if it is confirmed, that it is something which needs a lot of time.
“It could have been worse. The doctors have made us relaxed, he was with his father in the dressing-room. The doctors will say how long he will be out without playing.”
However, the nature of the injury suggests the striker will not be fit for the first leg of the Champions League tie against City in a month's time, and could also miss the return fixture.
The news would be a lift for City as they look to progress further in the competition, although there are signs that Lionel Messi is getting back to his best.
The Argentine scored a fine solo goal as Barca beat Getafe 2-0.
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=47534
GOLDEN BOLLOX 17-1-1979
Rotherham 2-4 City
After being held to a 0-0 draw by Rotherham United at Maine Road, City race into a 3-0 half-time lead in the FA Cup third-round replay at Millmoor courtesy of goals from Brian Kidd, Gary Owen and Peter Barnes.
The Millers, backed by a near-capacity crowd of 13,758, stage a second-half comeback, pulling two goals back, before Kidd adds a late fourth to send City through to the fourth round, where Shrewsbury Town await...
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]A host of Premier League clubs are facing disappointment in their efforts to sign Blackpool winger Thomas Ince, 21, as Monaco have emerged as favourites to recruit the England Under-21 international on a free transfer. DSSC
Everton boss Roberto Martinez faces a fight with Benfica for Standard Liege's 20-year-old Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi. Daily Mirror
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has moved to calm fears of a player exodus from his squad following the departure of Saints chairman Nicola Cortese. Southern Daily Echo
Sunderland are in talks with Estudiantes defender Santiago Vergini, with the 25-year-old Argentina international already in the North East to complete the deal. Sky Sports understands
West Ham are prepared to sell midfielder Ravel Morrison, 20, to Fulham for £10m after rejecting an initial bid for half that amount from the Craven Cottage club, who have stopped manager Rene Meulensteen from discussing any transfers in public. Daily Star
Arsenal face an uphill battle to land Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, 21, after Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus both registered their interest. Daily Express
West Ham will make a move for Genoa striker Alberto Gilardino, 31, in a bid to solve their goalscoring problems. Sky's TalkSHIT
Fulham say they have not received any enquiries for unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov despite reports linking the 32-year-old Bulgarian with Arsenal. Independent
St Etienne youngster Kurt Zouma, 19, claims he has spoken on the phone to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, dealing a blow to Liverpool and Manchester United's chances of signing the defender. Daily Star
Crystal Palace are looking to buy Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Dann, 26, and are also willing to take 27-year-old striker Leon Best away from Ewood Park as part of the deal. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are ready to open talks with Lille over a move for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 28. DSSC
Newcastle United are still hoping to close a loan deal for Borussia Monchengladbach's Dutch striker Luuk de Jong, 23, but will not make a bid for his 24-year-old brother Siem, currently with Ajax. Newcastle Chronicle
Sepp Blatter, 77, has hinted that he could stand for election for a fifth term as president of Fifa. Daily Telegraph
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the club would not settle for fourth place at this stage of the season because of a growing belief they can challenge for the Premier League title. Times
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 28, is set to miss the Red Devils' Premier League showdown with Chelsea with an abductor muscle injury and is only 50-50 to fit for their Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Sunderland. Daily Express
West Brom head coach Pepe Mel will ask former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez for advice on how to manage in the Premier League. Daily Telegraph
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has promised to buy the club's physios new cars for keeping him fit throughout last season, which helped him win the Ballon d'Or. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 17-1-2010
Club debts could lead to European ban Bollox
Leading English sides could be excluded from the Champions League if a Uefa proposal to limit overspending is successful LIVERPOOL and Manchester United would be banned from the Champions League if Michel Platini’s “Financial Fair Play” criteria for European club competitions were introduced, according to senior sources within Uefa. Manchester City and Chelsea would also be at risk, despite their owners having paid off their debts recently.
Rules governing the amount of debt clubs can accrue are being discussed within Uefa committees and though they are far from fixed, and at least three years away from being implemented, it is clear that many of Europe’s biggest clubs would fall foul of the criteria being proposed by Platini, the Uefa president. His guiding principle is that over a period of time clubs cannot spend more than they earn.
“Manchester United and Liverpool would be barred from the Champions League and the Europa Cup because they have debts piled directly on the club as a result of their owners’ takeovers,” a Uefa executive told The Sunday Times.
“Chelsea and Manchester City would fail to meet the requirements because we want to prevent a situation where you can overspend a great deal, then inject cash to balance the budget at the end of the season. Arsenal would qualify. They make more than they spend, including debt repayments. So do Tottenham.”
However, it is not just English clubs that would be affected. Some of Europe’s most celebrated clubs have built up huge debts and they too face exclusion from the Champions League. “As things stand, Real Madrid would fail and Inter Milan. But for now it’s all theory, based around a principle that needs to be made into something workable,” the source said.
Debt in English football has been highlighted again because United’s new financial figures, released last week, showed they made an annual profit of £48.2m only thanks to the £80m summer sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, inset. United paid £41.9m in interest in the year on debts that are now above £700m. Chelsea’s most recent figures showed a £44.4m loss, while City’s showed they lost £92m. Both those clubs’ owners have wiped out debts in excess of £300m to clean up their balance sheets. Liverpool’s debts are £240m-plus. Arsenal have £297m of debt, but this was acquired mainly for building Emirates stadium, now a cash cow that helps fuel profits. Arsenal’s repayments are easily serviced.
England’s Big Four plus City can take solace in that Uefa’s plans are far from complete. Even Uefa officials are uncertain whether rules will be applied retrospectively. “That might not be possible,” the source said. All clubs will have to meet requirements to balance income and spending, but grey areas and loopholes will remain.
Uefa’s only public statement on the subject so far is nebulous, saying there is an “obligation for clubs whose turnover is over a certain threshold, over a period of time, to balance their books or break even”.
The rules will be framed by an independent 11-man Club Financial Control Panel, chaired by the former prime minister of Belgium, Jean-Luc Dehaene. The aim is to introduce the rules in the 2013-14 season. Most of the CFCP, and Platini, accept that debt is not to be outlawed per se, but want it to be manageable if it is on a club’s books.
Uefa insiders are aware that if it banned most of the biggest clubs from its competition there would be a danger of a breakaway league. They also accept that its rules are susceptible to legal challenges. For now, there are three more years of work before proposals turn to rules.
THE BIG DEBTORS
£727m Manchester United
£609m Real Madrid* (Real claim only £296m)
£436m Barcelona*
£386m Internazionale*
£348m AC Milan*
£297.7m Arsenal
£240m approx Liverpool
£147m Juventus*
£136m Roma*
£96m Bayern Munich*
£0 Chelsea, after £340m write-off, announced Dec 2009
£0 Man City, after £305m debt-to-equity write-off, announced Jan 2010
* * * * * English data from Premier League club records or accounts * * * * *
Figures marked * from Prof Jose Maria Gay de Liebana, football finance specialist at the University of Barcelona
GOLDEN SNUB
MANCHESTER CITY have been snubbed by Argentina winger Angel di Maria after making a £38million bid.
The Eastlands club agreed to meet his buyout clause at Benfica, which would trigger a record British transfer fee.
But Di Maria, 21, declined a move that would have beaten the previous record of £32.5m City paid Real Madrid for Robinho.
Undaunted, City are certain to be back in the summer for the player, who rejected a switch this month as he wants to help Benfica win the title. A source in Lisbon said: "City offered the amount required to trigger a release clause in Di Maria's contract but the boy is loyal to Benfica. "But everyone at Benfica accepts that he will move on sooner rather than later." Di Maria is keen to move to a higher level of football but wants to look at all options. He signed a new deal with Benfica last October which runs until 2015. Chelsea and Inter Milan are also interested in the South American sensation and Manchester United offered winger Nani and £10m but that was rejected. Di Maria has indicated he would prefer to join United, but the current financial climate at Old Trafford suggests they will not be able to compete when the summer auction starts.
Joe Cole set to quit Chelsea for Manchester City
Manchester City are expected to see off competition from Manchester United and Tottenham to secure the signing of Joe Cole on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer.
The 28-year-old England midfielder is at odds with the Blues over a new contract. With his current deal due to expire on June 30, Cole is seeking a pay rise of about £50,000 a week to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are prepared to offer him a rise of only £20,000 on his current £80,000-a-week salary. Talks between Cole’s advisers and Chelsea have been ongoing since the start of the season but have stalled in recent weeks with neither side apparently willing to back down. Although he is reluctant to leave London, Cole is aware he is still in a position of strength as he seeks parity with the club’s second tier earners like Michael Ballack, Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien. City, United and Spurs are long-term admirers. But the Eastlands club, who failed in an audacious bid to land Chelsea and England captain John Terry last summer, are more confident that they can fulfil Cole’s current wage demands. In the current economic climate it seems both United and Tottenham will find it impossible to match a City offer that would include a £5m signing on fee and wages of about £150,000 a week. Those figures may seem incredible, but the fact the clubs would not have to pay Chelsea a fee, or any compensation, ensures Cole is the big winner from being a free agent. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made two approaches to West Ham in a bid to prise the player from their academy before Cole made his senior debut. Fergie openly rated Cole the most naturally gifted English player of his generation.
Harry Redknapp, the Hammers boss approached by Fergie back in the late 90s, turned down the Old Trafford overtures. Since then Redknapp has never disguised his admiration for Cole who he once claimed was the most skilful player he had ever come across.
He would relish having Cole in his squad again.
Sources close to Cole claim he’s unlikely to back down in talks with Chelsea and is well aware he retains a position of strength in negotiations.
He could already sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club if Chelsea laboured in negotiations and allowed him to reach the final months of his current deal.
They are unlikely to be impressed by City’s interest following the war of words that erupted after they tried to lure away Terry from the club by going public about their interest in the England captain.
Demento has no regrets
Slur Ferguson insisted last night that he has “no regrets” about Carlos Tevez’s move from Manchester United to neighbours City.
The Argentina striker has been in stunning form for City and went into last night’s match at Everton as their 15-goal top scorer.
It follows his controversial move across Manchester, when Tevez elected not to remain at Old Trafford when his contract ran out. But United boss Ferguson said: “There is no issue – we made our pitch, he didn’t take it and he went to Manchester City. It’s no problem to us." “He’s done well – so be it. I’ve no regrets and we move on.” Fergie also claimed he was no longer bothered about the “Welcome to Manchester” poster erected by City when Tevez became a Blue.
He said: “That’s gone now. I thought it was petty. They say it was a bit tongue in cheek – I don’t think it was. You have to understand they have been trying to catch up with us for years.”
meanwhile the mind games bollox continue
Alex Ferguson has turned the derby pressure on to rivals Manchester City by declaring: It’s a bigger game for you than us.
The Manchester United boss takes his side to Eastlands on Tuesday night for the first highly-charged leg of the Carling Cup semi- final. And Fergie insisted: “A semi-final against United, when they haven’t been to a final for so long, is the biggest motivation City could have so far this season. So it’s a bigger, more important game for them than us.” But the United boss also admitted he has to take into account the feelings of his club’s supporters and therefore will field a stronger side than originally planned.
Some of United’s bright youngsters, like striker Mame Biram Diouf, will be involved, but Fergie said: “I’ve got mixed views with regard to the team for this game, so the side will be a mixture and we’ll have enough experience out there."
“There is a definite chance that Diouf will be involved. We’ve been impressed with the boy – he’s quick, good in the air and we are trying to find out about him as quickly as we can.”
Diouf, 22, is from Senegal and has joined United from Molde in Norway. He has just returned to Old Trafford after being loaned back to the Scandinavian club. He eventually could cost United £5million and Ferguson wants to see as much of him as soon as he can.
Fergie said: “We took him to Birmingham last weekend but it was something of a wasted journey in terms of having a good look at him because the game changed when we had Darren Fletcher sent off.” Yet while Diouf looks set to taste the derby atmosphere, the United boss made it clear he won’t be sending out a team of kids and squad players.
Ferguson said: “It’s a game for the fans and their emotions. A grandad supports a team and that is passed on down the line and that club become the life of that family. We have to recognise that. You don’t underestimate these things and I’ll pay particular attention to it. And once you are in a semi-final, you want to be in the final. We want to be in a healthy position back at Old Trafford for the second leg. And our record is pretty good in derby matches.” Fergie admits that the spending power City have, following the takeover of the club by the Abu Dhabi United Group, makes “anything possible” for United’s
neighbours. The United boss said: “They could offer Barcelona a billion pounds for Lionel Messi and it wouldn’t affect them much."
“Their fans are happy, the club is happy and Roberto Mancini is happy after his start as manager. We are in a results-driven industry and questions are asked when they aren’t right. So there are no complaints from City’s fans at the moment."
“And anything is possible with the money they’ve got – but I’m quite happy and proud of our history. We can handle anything!”
Fergie, meanwhile, has given short shrift to talk there could be issues over a new contract for star striker Wayne Rooney. The United boss said tersely: “Nothing has been mentioned to me, so I assume that everything is okay.”
MORE BOLLOX SOON
