30
7DAYS
WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2009
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Football
United will be
Evra-ready to
avoid a wobble
French star warns defending champions
against complacency ahead of Wigan clash
MANCHESTER UNITED a Champions League title felt pain like that in my life
could be forgiven for defence on May 27, in Rome before and I don’t want to feel
thinking three points are in against Barcelona, which like that again.
the bag before their game could play on the minds of “That’s why I’m confident we'll
against an out-of-touch some of the United players. finish the job and go on and
Wigan side tonight, but And French full-back Evra has win the league.”
defender Patrice Evra has urged his team-mates to take Wigan have picked up just
warned the champions not it one game at a time. one point from the last five
to take their foot off the gas. He said: “We’re nearly there. games and coach Steve
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men “If we win against Wigan, it Bruce, a former United
certainly need no incentive at will be very important for legend, will not be in the
the JJB Stadium against winning the title. But it’s not mood to do his old club and
Wigan players who may as finished yet. former boss Ferguson any
well take to the field wearing “We have a Champions favours. Especially after his
flip-flops and surf shorts as League final to look forward side crashed to a 3-1 defeat
they look forward to their to, but we have to put against struggling West Brom
simmer holidays. that to the back of our on Saturday.
After all, a win would minds and Skipper Mario Melchiot STAY ON TARGET: United stars Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand chew the fat
leave them one point concentrate on the explained: “The gaffer was
away from a third straight league. understandably upset.
league title. “The manager tells “It’s a big game coming up
Victory would then give us we need to win against Manchester United WENGER WON’T SPLASH CASH
United the chance to wrap every game. At which is going to be tough,
up the title with just a Manchester but it’s one we're looking ARSENAL may have been give his young side the have not done too badly.
draw at home to United the forward to. on the back of two hidings chance to make amends. “I do not think that the team
Arsenal on aim is “The big games are always in successive games but Wenger bought Russian need major investments.”
Saturday, long always to special occasions and we Arsene Wenger has refused Andriy Arshavin in the Dutch forward Robin van
before nearest win. hope to perform a lot better.” to press the panic button. January transfer window Persie agreed, although he
challengers “In March United boss Ferguson will The Gunners were thumped and has admitted he will urged his team-mates not
Liverpool take we lost make a late decision on 4-1 at home to Chelsea on strenghten the squad in the to consider leaving.
to the field to defensive duo Rio Ferdinand Sunday days after a heavy summer. But he appeared Alexander Hleb, Mathieu
against Liverpool and Jonny Evans before defeat at the Emirates by to rule out wholesale Flamini and Gilberto SIlva
West Brom and deciding on his starting XI. Manchester United sent changes as he said: “We all left last summer, and
the Fulham, England star Ferdinand them crashing out of the have a team which is 22 Emmanuel Adebayor is
following the first tweaked a calf in training and Champions League at the years old on average, why being linked with a move at
day. time since missed the derby win over semi-final stage. should we look for the end of the season.
Another title I arrived City. Evans replaced him but Wenger’s side have been revolution? But Van Persie said: “The
would see United that we’d picked up a hamstring injury criticised for a lack of "That would be stupid and main thing for me is that we
equal Liverpool’s lost two and is now also a doubt. backbone following another not responsible. I still stay together. If we lose
record of 18 NO FAVOURS: From league Wayne Rooney, rested for the season without success, in believe that when you have three or four every year it is
English titles. United old boy, Wigan games match, should return as which they should finish responsibilities, you have to hard to get the spirit in.
But there is also boss Steve Bruce in a row. United look to claim three fourth in the table. But the make decisions and stand Hopefully we can stay here
the small matter of “I’ve never points with minimum fuss. Frenchman is determined to up for that. Until now we and have a real go at it.”
Berlusconi’s blast puts Blues on high alert
CHELSEA’S hopes of landing
FOOTBALL NEWS
Guus Hiddink’s temporary He said: “I am really sorry. comes to an end this month.
Carlo Ancelotti as their stay is over at the end of “The words were said to me, The 2004 Champions
new boss were given a big this season. so I hollered it into the League finalists have had
boost after Silvio Berlusconi “We lost the title because of microphone. That was not on. another poor season.
blasted AC Milan’s boss Ancelotti,” he said. WERDER BREMEN goalkeeper “Our relationship with However, Scotland legend
for failing to land the Serie “Many times we did not use Tim Wiese has apologised for Hamburg is one of respect Collins says he is “not
A title this season. the right tactics. shouting abuse at Hamburg and it will remain so.” thinking of moving to
The Rossoneri are seven “We have so many good fans after his side’s 2-0 win The German Football Monaco”, claiming there
points behind arch-rivals dribblers and should have at the weekend. Association has started an had so far been no contact
Inter. And with just three based our football on this After Bremen had seen off investigation into the incident. from the club.
games left they are poised asset, but we did the their north German rivals “It would be impolite on my
to miss out on the Scudetto opposite,” he added. Wiese was heard to shout JOHN COLLINS has played part to talk about moving to
for the fifth year in a row. Chelsea have long been into a microphone, “S*** down rumours he will take Monaco when there is
And Milan’s owner linked with a move for on Hamburg”. over at former club Monaco already a manager in place
Berlusconi is in no doubt Ancelotti and are in the hunt But yesterday it was a more when his short stint at in (Brazilian) Ricardo,”
about who is to blame. for a new manager once contrite Wiese. Belgian side Charleroi Collins said. ON THE MOVE? Ancelotti
>> French striker Djibril Cisse’s agent claims his player will be joining Tottenham in the summer on a season-long loan deal after 12 months at Sunderland
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