Manchester United have been told they will have to include Javier Hernandez as part of any deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, according to The Sun. Real Madrid are reportedly so interested in the Mexico international that they will pursue a £25 million deal for him even if United's pursuit of Ronaldo [.
Insider gambling and the control of match outcomes by agents are the death-knell for football.
Mourinho Congratulating Business Colleague After Old Trafford Sending Off
When Sir Ferguson refused to attend the post-match press conference after Real Madrid had knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League, there was conspiratorial talk in the air of the home dressing room.
March 5th of this year was rough enough on its own for Manchester United second year in a row for not advancing to the Uefa Champions League final-eight stage. The elimination at home to Real Madrid by the combined results of both legs, was not the pivotal point of the game.
Nani's straight red card at the 57th minute mark, shown in the video below, was.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been fined 8,500 pounds by UEFA for failing to fulfill his post match media obligations after United's Champions League loss to Real Madrid, while Nani has been suspended one game for the red card he received in that match.
Sir Alex Ferguson (Wikipedia Commons)
Nani received his controversial red card on a high tackle going for a ball up in the air.
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will meet on Thursday to discuss the fate of two members of Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson is being brought up for failing to attend a post-match conference after their loss to Real Madrid earlier in the month.
Nani's red card against Real Madrid prompted much debate as to whether or not it was merited. Most Manchester United fans protested that it was an incorrect decision. And Roy Keane gleefully took up the case for the referee. As if to rub salt into the wounds, United supporters watching last night's match between Bayern [.
In my weekly column on SWOL, I take a look back at the weekend's English Premier League and domestic cup action and the talking points that it throws up, as well as any significant news related to English football at large.
Follow me @theredarmchair for regular updates throughout the week.
Ramires (l) of Chelsea celebrates scoring his teaam's second goal with team-mates Cesar Azpilicueta and Juan Mata (r) (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
On Sunday, Manchester United started off brilliantly in the FA Cup at Old Trafford scoring two early goals from Chicharito and Wayne Rooney; however, Rafa Benitez's side reconfigured their approach in the second half to level the match at 2-2.
Ferdinand pardoned by UEFA but Man Utd could face punishment - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand won't receive any punishments from the UEFA for sarcastically clapping the referee Cuneyt Cakir after the end of the match against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 Champions League tie at Old Trafford.
The whole Nani-red card thing is getting a bit out of hand. If you go in chest high with your studs out, you run the risk of getting sent off by any referee on the planet. Make contact and you should expect a red. Intent takes a backseat to the well-being of the other gents on the field.
Nonetheless Alex Ferguson was pretty mad, feeling his team had been wronged, but perhaps none took it harder than an 18 year old from Nottinghamshire.
False hype over Wayne Rooney's exclusion - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Apart from Nani's red card that grabbed the headlines all over the media in England, other major issue that came under rigorous discussion is Wayne Rooney's exclusion from Manchester United starting line-up against Real Madrid on Tuesday night in the Champions League knock-out tie.
Nani's red card: The aftermath - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Nobody saw it was coming. Not even the Real Madrid players. When Nani and Alvaro Arbeloa both fell to the ground, after the Portugal international made a waist-high 'challenge' in the 57th minute, it seemed like the referee was just waiting to get both the players back on their feet.
Manchester United's defeat is not just down to Nani's red - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Manchester United's dream of clinching a treble was quashed on Tuesday night after Real Madrid sneaked out a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in the Champions League Round of 16 knockout tie.
The game was poised in favor of the Premier League side with scoreat 1-1 from the first leg at Bernabeu.
1. Accidentally kicking an opponent with your eyes firmly on the ball is a straight red card. This could be the end of the overhead kick as we know it. 2. Cristiano Ronaldo has perfected the 'walking back from an offside position' goal celebration. 3. Claiming that the better team lost, skulking off without celebrating, [.
Video- Nani red card vs Real Madrid | Nani sending off Man Utd Champions League March 2013 Cakir is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Video- Nani red card vs Real Madrid | Nani sending off Man Utd Champions League March 2013 Cakir is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter This controversial Nani red card vs Real Madrid ( VIDEO BELOW) tilted the scales of Man Utd's Round of 16 Champions League tie ( on March [.
With a bit of help from Nani's high boot and the referee's red card, Real Madrid came from behind to win the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester United 2-1 and advance on an aggregate score of 3-2. Less than 15 minutes after Nani was sent off in the second half, Real Madrid scored the two goals they needed with Cristiano Ronaldo notching the decider against his former club.
Rafael of Manchester United (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
What a better way for Ryan Giggs to cap off his 999th appearance with a goal against relegation stricken QPR as United now move fifteen points clear of Manchester City with their latest 2-0 win. Despite Giggs' second goal of the campaign, youngster Rafael da Silva's wonder-strike past Julio Cesar stole the show.
Arsenal are ready to do some squad improvement, with Arsene Wenger set to have £70 million burning a hole in the pockets of his giant coat. There is room for improvement all over the pitch, so it will be interesting to see what Wenger thinks are the priorities. It sounds a lot, but £70 million does not buy many quality players these days, and there is no point buying squad players because we have plenty.
With just 18 months remaining on his current deal, rumours have circulated that Nani will be sold this summer. Confirming the signing of Wilf Zaha last month did nothing to help the rumours.
United have offered Nani a new deal but the player doesn't believe it represents what he's worth, with Ashley Young on a bigger contract.
It seems like we can't go a day without a different transfer rumour linking players with a move to United or away from the club. Today, the papers' speculation focus on Old Trafford's very own Mr Marmite, otherwise known as Nani. The Portuguese's petulance and ability to irritate people comparable only to those of flies [.
Nani scrutinising his career at Manchester United - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Manchester United winger Nani is unhappy at missing out on the Champions League first leg tie with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and could leave the club at the end of the season.
Nani turned the game around for Manchester United against Reading after coming on for Phil Jones just before half time. He scored our first goal and then provided a brilliant cross for Chicharito to make it 2-0.
Our Portuguese winger didn't even make the squad for the Real Madrid game this week but Nani has insisted he is happy to help the team whenever the manager asks him to.
Can anyone remember the last time Nani did enough to get the title picture? The Portuguese winger is a love-hate player, but after disentangling himself from a minor car crash with a police vehicle earlier this week (see the news outlet of your choice), he came off the bench in last night's 5th round FA Cup tie, and in a rare occurance, made all the difference to Utd's performance.
Chris Smalling of Manchester United-Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Manchester United return to Old Trafford to face Reading in the FA Cup Fifth Round after a spirited performance against Real Madrid midweek. The Red Devils return to England without suffering any additional injuries from their trip to Spain, while the Royals are coming off a run of excellent performances as of late.
Nani of Manchester United-Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha better known as Nani, was once regarded as Cristiano Ronaldo's substitute. After Ronaldo was transferred to Real Madrid it was time for a the sub to become the first choice. Nani's game indeed was very similar to that of Ronaldo; however, that seemed to be too much of a heavy burden on Nani's shoulders.
Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna has spent the majority of his career with the Gunners, after signing from Ligue 1 side Auxerre back in 2007. In those 6 years Sagna has managed to make 175 league appearances, scoring just 3 goals. In his first years he competed with Emmanuel Eboue to nail down the Right Back position, however it was quickly seen who the better player was and Sagna soon managed to make a stance and become Arsenal's regular Right Back.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks to Jack Wilshere (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal FC is currently at a fork in the road; on one hand there is a future with manager Arsene Wenger and giving him the opportunity to rebuild a new roster and see if he can bring the good name back to Arsenal.
I had a number of versions of this written and ready to publish but wasn't sure which one would be most entertaining or enjoyable for the average Republik of Mancunia reader. I did, in fact, send two of these versions to Scott and if you're reading this one (Version 2) he has decided that Version 1 didn't deserve a place on his website.
FIFA Law 12: "Reckless" means that the player has acted with complete disregard of the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent. A player who plays in a reckless manner shall be cautioned.
This seems to sum up fairly well the two incidents above. Both Diego López and Nani were trying to win the ball but both of them went in without considering the consequences for their opponent.
Robin van Persie is still frustrating by the ridiculous decision to send Nani off during our Round of 16 game against Real Madrid.
According to the Laws of the game, at worst it was a yellow card, but the referee incorrectly opted to send Nani off. FIFA Law 12: If a player plays in a dangerous manner in a "normal" challenge, the referee should not take any disciplinary action.
When Manchester United's Nani was sent off in the 56th minute of Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 second leg against Real Madrid, the home fans were outraged. The sending off for a boot to Alvaro Arbeloa's belly was soon followed by two goals from Real Madrid, which was enough to give them a lead they would not lose.
"Noi avanti ma hanno perso i migliori", con queste parole, pronunciate ai microfoni della stampa a fine gara, lo Special One, Jose' Mourinho, commenta la qualificazione ai quarti di Champions League del suo Real, corsaro all'Old Trafford, contro lo United di Ferguson, per 2 a 1, dopo l'1 a 1 che aveva chiuso il match [.
A heavily debated red card for Nani in the 56th minute of the Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Manchester United and Real Madrid proved to be quite a turning point. Man United had a 1-0 lead in the game and 2-1 lead on aggregate before Nani's high boot that caught Alvaro Arbeloa in the midsection and less than 15 minutes after Man United were reduced to 10 men, Real Madrid scored twice to take a lead they wouldn't give back.
Ryan Giggs has reflected on the moment when he saw Nani sent off against Real Madrid on Tuesday. According to the FIFA Law 12, the consequence of dangerous play is a caution, but Nani was sent off. For a challenge to be considered serious foul play there has to be excessive force, which obviously there wasn't when Nani was simply attempting to bring the ball down.
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that there were plenty of disappointed players on Wednesday night when they learned they would not be playing against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Ashley Young and Nani were particularly upset as neither of them made the bench, with Ryan Giggs the preferred substitute winger.
This season has been a disappointing one for our wingers with Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young all struggling for fitness and good form. Last season Valencia was voted player of the season by his team mates and the fans, whilst Nani was voted player of the season by his team mates the year before, yet neither have set the world alight this season.
Nani's Bentley Continental has been involved in a collision with a police car. Greater Manchester Police said a police driver had been suspended after a car crash involving the winger. Police said an unmarked police car responding to an emergency call was travelling along Gatley Road in Gatley, Stockport at about 18:40 GMT on Friday.
