The Defence Rests
‘SIR Alex Ferguson has apparently been told he could stay at Manchester United for the next 10 years if Malcolm Glazer wins his battle with Irish tycoons John Magnier and JP McManus for control of the Old Trafford club.
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But that would surely depend on success on the pitch and, with his side having conceded eight goals in the last three games, that is by no means assured.
Ferguson blames the absence of Rio Ferdinand, who is currently serving an eight-month ban for failing to show up at a drugs test.
A bit of slackness seems to have crept into our defending at times, he tells the Express, and you are bound to miss a player of Rios quality.
The Sun claims that Ryan Giggs has labelled the club stupid for putting their title in jeopardy by conceding so many goals.
What he actually said was that the side has conceded too many stupid goals, which is a different thing altogether, adding that blaming the recent malaise on the absence of Rio Ferdinand was the easy option.
And the one taken by his manager.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are riding high at the top of the Premiership and are getting ready to face Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday.
And Ashley Cole tells the Sun that if the Gunners win that game and the league match at Stamford Bridge a week later it could be curtains for Claudio Ranieri.
I feel sorry for him because he is a great manager, says Cole, and, from what I have seen, a nice man. But they are under more pressure than us.
Glenn Hoddle is, as we know, a great believer in karma and he is certainly now reaping what he sowed as Southampton fans put a block on his return to the south coast.
The Mirror says the ex-England boss has resorted to pleading with the fans to give him a second chance at the club he walked out on three years ago.
But the big story in the Mirror is that England rugby union coach Sir Clive Woodward almost walked out on England after their World Cup success.
The South African Rugby Union claims that Sir Clive made contact after coach Rudi Straeuli resigned in December, but was rebuffed.
Woodward, who denies the claims, will be happier to read the back page of the Mail which says that fly-half Jonny Wilkinson could be back in training within 10 days following the operation on his damaged shoulder.’
Posted: 13th, February 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
