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United sights on Di Biagio
By John Richardson
Tuesday, June 8, 1999
Manchester United have entered the race to sign Roma's hard-running midfielder Luigi Di Biagio.
Chelsea were prepared to part with £16million to sign Italy international Di Biagio and unsettled striker Marco Delvecchio. But that ambitious double deal hit the rocks, allowing United boss Alex Ferguson to register his own interest in 27-year-old Di Biagio.
The player was valued at £6m in the proposed Chelsea deal and Ferguson has decided that his capture would bolster the United midfield, bearing in mind the extra demands which an enlarged Champions League will exert on his Treble winners.
As well as being a useful foil for combative captain Roy Keane, Di Biagio would also provide cover for the Irishman in the event of injury or suspension. The suspensions of Keane and Paul Scholes left United weakened in that department for the Champions League Cup Final in Barcelona.
Having brought in Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich on a Bosman free transfer, the cash earmarked for replacing Peter Schmeichel can now be redirected in other areas.
Chairman Martin Edwards has also indicated that, while Ferguson will not be able to repeat last summer's £28m spree, consideration will be given to specific targets.
Ferguson, currently on holiday, is keen to acquire a forceful midfielder, a left back and another striker to supplement an already much-envied squad. But with extra matches to play in what should be another trophy-chasing season, the wily United boss is leaving nothing to chance.
Roma's incoming coach, Fabio Capello, is ready to wheel and deal in his bid to emerge from the shadow of neighbours Lazio and challenge for the Italian title.
He is willing to sell a number of players, although ideally he would like to keep Di Biagio, whose reputation has grown over the past couple of seasons. However, a substantial bid would make Roma think again and United are ready to test the water.
Manchester United have entered the race to sign Roma's hard-running midfielder Luigi Di Biagio.
Chelsea were prepared to part with £16million to sign Italy international Di Biagio and unsettled striker Marco Delvecchio. But that ambitious double deal hit the rocks, allowing United boss Alex Ferguson to register his own interest in 27-year-old Di Biagio.
The player was valued at £6m in the proposed Chelsea deal and Ferguson has decided that his capture would bolster the United midfield, bearing in mind the extra demands which an enlarged Champions League will exert on his Treble winners.
Italian elite set sights on Giggs
By John Richardson
Saturday, June 5, 1999
Ryan Giggs will be the hottest property in town tonight with Italy's big spenders hovering with their chequebooks.
Forget Italy's Christian Vieri or Parma's emerging goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon, it is Giggs who will attract the covetous glances here as Wales face Dino Zoff's Group One favourites in a Euro 2000 qualifier.
Giggs is the player in demand, his burgeoning reputation having been further advanced by his glorious end-of-season exploits, which have included demolishing the European ambitions of Juventus and Inter Milan. Both would happily splash out around £20million given any indication that Manchester United will sell.
At the age of 25, he has matured into a player who is comfortable in the most exacting company and on the biggest stage.
A relaxed Giggs said: 'After what has happened to me in the last few weeks, physically I don't have any problems with playing again but mentally it can be tough. You have to lift yourself but playing for your country certainly helps me to do that. We know that Italy are a world-class team with world-class players but if we can get a draw, then it would set us up nicely for the next game at home to Denmark on Wednesday night.'
His last international appearance because of a succession of injuries was in the 2-0 defeat against Italy back in September at Anfield.
Wales boss Bobby Gould said: 'This is a bloody nose group. For instance, Italy got theirs when Belarus came here and drew 1-1. With Giggs around, we know we have a player who can put the fear of God into the Italians.'
Paul Scholes dismissed for England
Scholes showed once again on Saturday that wreckless challenges are pointless as two bookings meant that he will miss Wednesday's crucial Euro 2000 Qualifier against Bulgaria. It was similar challenges which caused him to miss the European Cup Final.
Bosnich Arrested on Wedding Day
New Man United goalkeeper was arrested, but later released on bail on Friday. He had been on a night out in Birmingham at the Legs 11 lapdancing club when it is allegded he attacked and robbed a photographer. He was arrested at 7am, he was due to be married in the afternoon.
Four United Players in England Side
Andy Cole, Phil Neville, David Beckham and Paul Scholes are in the England side to face Sweden, while inform striker Teddy Sheringham only makes the bench. Would'nt it be great if Cole and Sheringham were allowed to play up front together, who knows maybe on Saturday.Gary Neville dropped out from the squad due to tiredness.
Wednesday, June 02, 1999 14:10
Mark Bosnich will sign a four-year contract
with Manchester United on July 1, and become Peter Schmeichel's
successor at Old Trafford.
Bosnich is an Aston Villa player until June 30, but when his
contract with the Birmingham club runs out, he will join United
on a free Bosman transfer.He's been a United player before, of
course. In the early 1990s, he made a handful of appearances for
the club before work permit problems forced him back to
Australia. Then, after marrying his English girlfriend, he
returned to England, and to Aston Villa, much to Alex Ferguson's
surprise and chagrin.
"I had three great years here," he said at the press
conference to announce his arrival. "It was a great
apprenticeship. I'll never forget that."
Fergie has obviously forgotten, and forgiven. Bosnich is glad he
has, and is happy to be in Manchester again. "I'm pleased to
be here. I'm pleased to have agreed terms and I'm looking forward
to next season," beamed the goalkeeper.
And Bosnich claimed he had his reasons for not returning to
United. "Peter Schmeichel has arguably been the best
goalkeeper in the world over the last eight years. I could not
see a chance of playing around him. I'm just thankful to Villa
for the chance of eight years of first team football."
Filling Peter Schmeichel's boots will not be an easy job, but
that does not fill Bosnich with dread. "Comparisons between
myself and Peter were the main bait for me coming here. I just
wanted to see if I could fill his shoes. It ll be a huge task
though," he admitted.
While several big name keepers have been linked with United in
recent weeks, United chairman Martin Edwards claimed that Bosnich
had been in their thoughts from the very start. "We've had
Mark in mind for some time," Edwards said. "Foreign
clubs were allowed to talk to him in January, and we ve had to
wait until recently. We're thankful to Mark for his patience.
"We believe he's the best around. It's a brave man who comes
in to fill Peter's shoes," concluded the chairman.
Let's hope Mark has big feet!
New Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich will have a lot to live up to next season as the Red Devils prepare to defend their Treble trophy haul. Bosnich, who has signed a four-year contract, will replace the Dane Peter Schmeichel between the sticks to become the United number one, and he is looking forward to proving he is every bit as good as his illustrious predecessor. The 27-year-old completed a Bosman free move from fellow Premiership outfit Aston Villa on Wednesday - less than a year after fellow Villa star Dwight Yorke left the Midlands club for Old Trafford.
Australia have been quick to grant Bosnich his debut in a match against his international teammates when United play Australia in two pre-season friendly matches in July.
Alex Ferguson and Martin Edwards are on a collision course as
their
simmering 'penny-pinching' storm threatens to blow up ahead of
Manchester United's Champions League Final.
Chairman Edwards insists that his manager will not have the
necessary pot of gold to expand his squad this summer. The
message
from Edwards was: This changes nothing.
Even as the club's jubilant fans were starting the trek home from
Turin after their heroes' amazing 3-2 victory over Juventus on
Wednesday night, Edwards reiterated his astonishing warning.
The split will inevitably lead to friction between Ferguson,
Edwards
and the rest of the Old Trafford plc board. United's march to the
final against Bayern Munich in Barcelona on May 26 and their FA
Cup
Final encounter with Newcastle United, will generate at least
£12million in bonuses, gate receipts and marketing.
TRANSFER
UPHEAVAL?
Tuesday, April 20, 1999 11:48
Ticket prices may be about to rise to cover
players' wages. United fans will be feeling a sense of deja vu as
they read this, but it may be out of the club's hands as early as
next season.
The chairman of the Professional Footballers Association, Gordon
Taylor, this morning claimed that FIFA are planning a new
transfer system, which could be introduced as soon as July.
The new system would see players able to leave clubs easily, even
in the middle of their contracts. In effect, the players would be
able to hand in their notice whenever they wanted, and the clubs
would be powerless to stop them. Players' wages would escalate as
the clubs attempted to hang onto their star players, and ticket
prices would rise accordingly.
Taylor said, "There would be so many moves that clubs would
resemble Euston Station with players coming in and going out. The
spectators will see a forever changing team.
"It is just too destabilising. It is not good for the game,
not good for the clubs, and not good for the spectators."
The FA, Football League and Premier League are believed to be
meeting soon to discuss the move, but if FIFA go ahead with their
plans, there may be nothing they can do about it.
We'll have news on this potentially huge development in the
worldwide game as soon as we get it.
NO
SHOWDOWN FOR SHARPSHOOTER
Thursday, May 20, 1999 09:20
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has denied reports that
he is seeking summer talks with Alex Ferguson. The Norwegian, who
has scored 17 goals from 16 starts so far this season, says he is
more than happy to stay at Old Trafford. "I have never
knocked on the manager's door. I am not that type of
player," said the striker. "I am very happy and feel
that I have been improving." Ole still has five years to run
on his United contract.
Here are links to archived stories from the past season
Fowler is United Top Target
Man United 8 Nottm Forest 1
Man United 2 Bayern Munich 1
Man United 2 Newcastle Utd 0
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This page was last updated on 13/06/99