Barca ace vows to face United

Andres Iniesta says he will be fit for Barcelona's Champions League final against Manchester United despite picking up a thigh injury.

The Spanish international, who scored the equaliser at Chelsea last Wednesday which put the side into the final in Rome on May 27, picked up the injury during Barca's 3-3 draw against Villarreal on Sunday. And, despite initial fears that he would not recover in time for the game, Iniesta has declared that he will be fit.

"I have already told the doctors that whatever happens, I am going to Rome," he told Spanish reporters.

"It is a slight blow and I am only thinking of Rome, where I will be.

"Unfortunately it happened during the last play of the game and even if it is not that serious, I wish it never occurred.

"I am part of the best club in the world, people respect me and like me. We are a step away from winning the league and are due to play the Copa del Rey and the Champions League final.

"People's affection and respect is unbelievable and that is why I hope we will win these titles in order to make millions of fans happy."

Man United 2 Man City 0- Tevez and Ronaldo tantrums spoil win as United go back to the top

The goals might have been classy but the two prima donnas whoscored them did not appear to know the meaning of the word at Old Trafford on Sunday.
What a way to win a Manchester derby. Whata way to conclude a week that has seen Sir Alex Ferguson's sideprogress to a second consecutive Champions League final and move towithin touching distance of a third consecutive Premier League title.
IfCarlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo really want to play elsewhere nextseason, Ferguson might just be glad to see the back of them after this.A case of sending them on their way and waiting to see how long it isbefore they realise what a terrible mistake they have made.

Cristiano Ronaldo smashes in the opening goal as Manchester United keep their Premier League title ambitions on track with victory over Manchester City...



...but the winger was far from happy at being substituted by Sir Alex Ferguson
Championsof the world one minute, also-rans the next? Under the guidance of thefinest manager of a generation in Manchester and then what? Someonegiven five minutes by Manchester City's owners to turn them into titlecontenders? A guy who could win La Liga and still get kicked out ofReal Madrid after nine months?
Tevez will no doubt feel he wasjustified in celebrating a quite spectacular 45th-minute strike with avery clear message to the Old Trafford hierarchy. Man United 2 Man City 0: All the action as it happenedI want to stay in England and play for one of United's rivals, says TevezYou cry babies! Chelsea KO was justice for 'diving' says DunneMANCHESTER UNITED FC

David Villa Manchester City link is nonsense

City reportedly made a £50 million approach for the Valencia forward ahead of the January transfer window, but his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, claims Villa is not interested in a move to England. "David has rejected the chance to play in England. It would be a nonsense to negotiate with Manchester City and Chelsea aren't interested," he told the Mirror. "If Valencia do decide to sell him he wants to stay in Spain." Villa, who scored Spain's opener in their 2-0 victory over England earlier this month, now has a strike rate of 25 goals in 42 internationals. While Spain rely on Villa, Valencia are even more dependent on the prolific forward, who has scored 18 out of their 43 league goals this season. Villa was hot property in the summer after firing Spain to Euro 2008 glory – with the tabloids labelling him 'maravilla' which translates as 'wonder'. After missing out on Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Spanish champions Real offered a reported 45 million euros for him, but Valencia didn't want to do business and the striker signed a contract extension until 2014. "The club wanted to keep me and I feel comfortable here so it is all fine," Villa explained at the time. However, with presidential elections at the Bernabeu this summer, Villa could again be a target for Real come the end of the season.

HEROES & PIONEERS

Thierry Henry
By Tony Parker

Rapide. That's the first word that comes to mind when I watch my fellow Frenchman and good friend Thierry Henry on the soccer pitch. Fast. I love it when he takes the ball and darts downfield for 30 yards, making one, two, three defenders fall as they chase him. He's breaking ankles out there. Every time he touches the ball, you know he's going to do something crazy—maybe something you've never seen before.
But Thierry, 29, is so much more than a great soccer player who helped France reach last year's World Cup final and who has led his English club team, Arsenal, to four national-cup wins. He wants to change the world. It's no secret that European soccer is fighting a racism problem, in the crowd and on the field, and no player has done more to exorcise it than Thierry. After cameras caught Spain's national coach using a racist slur to describe Thierry in 2004, he could have lost his cool. Instead, Thierry, who is always steady, recruited a host of fellow soccer stars to launch his Stand Up Speak Up campaign, which raised millions of dollars and unprecedented awareness to fight racism. We talk about the problem all the time. Racism bothers him so much, but he wanted to attack it in a measured, professional manner. Given his upbringing in the ethnically diverse housing projects southwest of Paris, no one can speak out against intolerance better than Thierry. His impact has been immense. Sure, racism hasn't entirely disappeared from the soccer landscape, but you can sense it fading a bit. You've got to give Thierry some credit for this change.
My favorite athlete when I was growing up was Michael Jordan, because of the supreme confidence and control he displayed on the floor. Then I started watching Thierry play soccer, and you could see the same sureness in his eyes. I try to copy his approach on the basketball court, and I think everyone can learn that lesson from Thierry: be intense yet unflappable. Just don't count on being as fast. (time.com)

Diego confirms Interest

Werder Bremen star Diego has revealed that Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City are all vying for his services and that he will decide what to do at the end of the season.The Brazilian is being watched by the trio of clubs, but while there has been no concrete offer for him, he is not prepared to upset his current side by stating what he wants to do next term.Diego has been linked with Madrid and Juve on several occasions and while Manchester City's interest is new, their spending power could well test the other clubs."Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester City are watching me," sportmediaset quoted the playmaker as saying. "In May, I will decide what to do."Now I am only thinking about the next few games for Werder. I will talk to the club when it is the right time."InterestWith his next move drawing much speculation, Diego has sought to put any distractions to one side as his father will handle any offers or negotiations."My father is focussed on that side of things, while I am concentrating on playing," he told Spox ahead of Werder's Uefa Cup encounter with AC Milan."If a club is interested in me then they have to first speak to Werder. "At the moment, I know of offers but am only focussed on Werder."I am very happy here and my father can also see that."

Juventus increase rivalry to sign Agger

Juventus have joined the list of Serie A sides interested in securing the services of the central defender Daniel Agger at the end of the season. Milan wanted to recruit the Denmark international during the January transfer window but other Italian sides, including Juventus, appear to be prospective suitors for a player who has said he wants to leave if denied a regular first-team place.
Despite suggestions from Andrei Voronin that Robbie Keane's departure to Tottenham may presage his own early return from a season's loan at Hertha Berlin, the player claimed yesterday he has now opened talks over extending the loan spell.
"Yes, we have spoken for the first time," Voronin said. "It was a good talk. I think we are on a positive path," added his agent, Andrey Golowasch.

Rooney Close To Full Fitness

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been tipped to return to action in this weekend's Premier League clash against Blackburn Rovers. The 23-year-old former Everton star has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last month, a problem he picked up in the opening minutes of January's 1-0 victory against Wigan Athletic. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: "Wayne should be ready for Saturday's game against Blackburn, we're quite confident of that, and he may have a slight chance of being fit for a place on the bench on Wednesday. "Everyone's fit. We had Wednesday's game in mind when we picked the side for the FA Cup win at Derby County and that's why we rested Carlos Tevez." Meanwhile, assistant manager Mike Phelan believes Ryan Giggs is currently playing some of the best football of his career. The veteran former Wales international produced another excellent performance in Sunday's 4-1 victory at Pride Park, with Phelan saying of the midfielder: "There is an argument to say Ryan is playing better than he has ever done. "He looks after himself, is totally professional and seems to have found a rich vein of form. "He goes on to another level every year. We can only be happy with that."

Beckham: I want to stay in Milan

David Beckham has confirmed that he hopes to leave the Los Angeles Galaxy and remain with AC Milan on a permanent basis.

Beckham: Keen to remain in Milan
The England midfielder's loan spell from Galaxy expires on March 9 and the Italian club were hoping to extend it.
But, after playing the first half of Milan's 2-2 friendly draw against Rangers at Ibrox, Beckham revealed he hoped to make it a permanent transfer.
He said: "At the moment my lawyers are not talking to the Galaxy but I have expressed my desire to stay at AC Milan now and it's just down to Milan and Galaxy to come to an agreement.
"I have enjoyed my time here. I knew I would enjoy it but I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I have."
Beckham has been a revelation since joining Milan - scoring twice to help the club move up to second place in Serie A.
And the 33-year-old believes his ambition to play for England at the 2010 World Cup finals is better served by moving from the US back to the top-class European game.
"I've expressed my desire to stay here for a while but at the moment I'm still a Galaxy player," Beckham said.
"I respect the Galaxy and everything they have done for me. They have always been great to me.
"But I hope they can come to an agreement and it's down to the clubs now. At this point it's out of my hands. I've said what my feelings are to both clubs.
"To be given the chance again to play at this level at my age is pretty incredible and I've enjoyed it so much I would like to continue it."
He added: "I think people have seen the way I've been since playing at this level again.
"It's nothing against the MLS and the football over there, because it's a game that will grow but it will take quite a few years.
"I'm still confident that will happen eventually, but I want to have a chance of being involved in 2010 and I believe my best chance of doing so is to remain here."
Beckham, who recovered from a minor bout of flu to play in Glasgow, revealed England manager Fabio Capello had encouraged him to play at the best standard of football he could.
Beckham said: "When I was first thinking about going on loan, obviously I asked his advice on where I should play and he said, 'All I can say to you is play at the highest level'."
However, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player refused to look back with regret at his decision to move to America.
He said: "I have always made decisions never regretting anything in my career and my life. At the time I felt it was right for me and I have had great times there.
"Who knows, I might enjoy myself in the MLS again in the future. It's nothing against the league. It's just I have enjoyed myself so much here I want to stay for a while."
Milan general manager Adriano Galliani earlier claimed Beckham's lawyers were in talks with LA Galaxy over extending the midfielder's stay at the San Siro.
While Beckham did not believe talks had reached that stage, he does expect both clubs to discuss a deal in the coming days.
Galliani said: "The Los Angeles Galaxy have always been very nice to us and have behaved in a very gentlemanly manner.
"There is time until March 8 to get us round a table and close a possible deal."

Marseille Chief Desperate To Land Chelsea Striker Drogba

Marseille president Pape Diouf insists he will do everything he can to bring Didier Drogba back to the Stade Velodrome.

Chelsea bought Drogba from the French side in the summer of 2004 for around £24million.
But the Ivory Coast international holds the Mediterranean club dear to his heart and spoke recently about the possibility of 'finishing his adventure' with OM.
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Fans' favourite: Drogba was a huge hit during his time with Marseille
Diouf has not given up hope of witnessing the return of the 30-year-old, whose form in his season at Marseille in both Ligue 1 and Europe earned him the French player of the year award.
'We must talk to our supporters in adult language,' Diouf told 10 Sport. 'They know we do what we say, and vice-versa. To say to them, "We are going to win the Champions League" or "Drogba is going to return", I will not allow myself to do it - that would be showing them a lack of respect.
'On the other hand, to say to them, "Like you, I really want Drogba to come back and if there is a possibility of doing it, I will do it", that I can guarantee them.
'Each time I see him, I say to him, "Now Didier, get your bags together and come back here!"'
Marseille last month dismissed talk of a move for Drogba, labelling him 'inaccessible' at the moment.
Diouf appreciates Marseille cannot match the wages the striker earns at Chelsea but believes there could be ways around it.
'Even if the possibility is thin, it still exists,' Diouf added. 'When you look at the economic reality square in the face, it isn't reasonable for a French club.
'However, you can't exclude thinking of other

DREAM RETURN FOR EDUARDO

Eduardo da Silva enjoyed a dream comeback from injury, scoring twice as Arsenal booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 victory over Cardiff.
Playing his first club game since suffering a double compound fracture of his leg last February, Eduardo headed the Gunners in front in the 20th minute of Monday's replay at the Emirates Stadium and after that the hosts never looked back.
Nicklas Bendtner doubled the lead with a towering header from a corner 14 minutes later as what was a largely second-string Arsenal side dominated.
The Dane missed a great chance to make it three just before the break as Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton, on loan from Manchester United, kept his side in the game with a fine double save after Bendtner had initially hit the post.
Last year's beaten finalists had no answer to Arsenal's slick passing game and the hosts did make it 3-0 on the hour mark.
Gavin Rae was adjudged to have fouled Eduardo in the box and the Croatian sent Heaton the wrong way from the resultant penalty.
Eduardo had a chance to complete a hat-trick but saw Heaton make another save before the striker was substituted to a standing ovation midway through the second half.
The man who replaced Eduardo, Robin van Persie, completed the rout in the 89th minute, slotting home having been nicely set up by Bendtner.
Van Persie also hit the post in injury time with a header, but by then the damage had already been done.
Arsenal will now entertain Burnley - the team who knocked them out of this season's Carling Cup - in the last 16. That match will take place on either March 7 or 8.