United, Tottenham Battle for Real Madrid Star

Lassana Diarra will be at the centre of a bidding war in January as Manchester United and Tottenham both prepare bids for Real Madrid player.
Diarra has suffered from a lack of game time this season with manager Jose Mourinho preferring other options ahead of him. He did not even start against Barcelona in a match that seemed to demand his combative qualities and the 25-year-old is about to cut his losses and leave the Bernabeu.
The defensive midfielder has no shortage of admirers in England and United and Tottenham are both desperate to acquire his signature
If he signed for Spurs he would become only the second player after William Gallas to play for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. However, it is thought that Diarra would favour a move to Old Trafford where he could work with Sir Alex Ferguson and add yet another of Europe’s big clubs to an impressive looking CV. (Sportingo)

This should be interesting. Lassana Diarra doesn’t get much of a look in at the Bernabeu and the French international is willing to turn his back on the La Liga giants in the search of regular first team football and is now a firm target of both Tottenham and Man United.
Whilst Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are clearly doing very well and are more likely to secure the top club honours there is also no denying just how far Harry Redknapp’s north London side has come over the past 18 months and given that Diarra has played in London before he may have more affinity with a move to the capital than to the north.
Both Premier League clubs appear to after new central midfield options and the 25 year old Parisian will have his work cut out deciding where his career would best be suited as there seems little point sticking around at Real Madrid waiting for the likes of Sami Khedira to get injured.

United Lining up 20m Pound for "New Drogba"?

Manchester United are ready to offer RSC Anderlecht €20 million for teenage sensation Romelu Lukaku , according to Belgian sources.

The 17-year-old, dubbed 'The New Didier Drogba" burst onto the scene last season with 18 goals and six assists. And he is well on the way to beating those figures this season, scoring 14 goals and setting up three, and has a league efficiency ratio of a goal and assist every 111.1 minutes.
He is one of the most in-demand players in Europe, and Anderlecht have said as many as 15 clubs are after him.
Lukaku is strong, fast and deadly in front of goal. He moves well in the box and is always in the right place at the right time. He shoots well with both feet, although he prefers his left side.
He is a good passer of the ball, too, adept at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Lukaku does need to work on his technique in small spaces, but he is sure to progress into a truly world class player.

Fergie: Bowyer should have Recieved Red

Sir Alex Ferguson felt Birmingham goal hero Lee Bowyer shouldn't have been on the pitch to score against Manchester United on Tuesday.
United boss Ferguson says Bowyer deserved a red card for his first-half challenge on Darron Gibson during the 1-1 draw at St Andrews.
Bowyer received a yellow card from referee Lee Mason after a late lunge at Gibson, who was starting his first Premier League game since April.
Ferguson felt Bowyer, who is 34 next week, should have been given his marching orders and he took advantage of staying on the pitch by scoring a last gasp equaliser.
The United chief fumed: "The Bowyer tackle in the first half, I thought it was a red card. He's gone over the top of the ball.
"Bowyer has been given a yellow card so nothing can be done about it (retrospectively). But it's a dangerous tackle."
Ferguson's anger was also not helped when replays suggested Blues striker Nikola Zigic had been guilty of handball and committing a foul in the build-up to Bowyer's point-saving goal.
But in the cold light of day he can reflect with satisfaction on United heading into the New Year on top of the table.
They have lost only two league matches during 2010 and remain unbeaten in the top flight during the current campaign.
Ferguson said: "I always say if we get to that top position on New Year's Day, then we've always got a great chance.
"There's five or six teams who are all contesting that area towards the top of the league."
With Wayne Rooney still without a club goal from open play in nine months, Ferguson will be relieved Dimitar Berbatov continues to sparkle.
His 15th goal of the campaign at St. Andrew's means he has already passed his totals of 12 and 14 for his previous two campaigns at Old Trafford.
Ferguson said: "Dimitar is in great form and it is good to see that. His confidence is high too - and that is important."
Ferguson will hope that Arsenal will find it as difficult as the other leading teams when they visit Birmingham on Saturday.
Alex McLeish's side have already beaten Chelsea and drawn with Tottenham at home this season in addition to gaining the point against United which moved them out of the bottom three.
Ferguson said: "Maybe it will be seen as a good point in the long run. Absolutely. Birmingham is a very difficult place to come to.
"You see their home record in terms of goals against them. Very few teams score goals at Birmingham.
"That has been going on since Alex (McLeish) came here as a manager. They set their stall out very well."
McLeish is constantly full of praise for the resilience shown by his team and their never-say-die attitude surfaced once again in thwarting United.
But the former Scotland boss is also aware of the need for his team to start being more clinical in front of goal if they are to climb away from the relegation zone.
He said: "Why are we near the bottom? We haven't scored enough goals. That is the bottom line.
"We've not been battered in any game this season and the players can be proud of that.
"I heard David Moyes talking the other day about the reason Everton are in their position they are because they haven't scored enough goals.
"We haven't done that either. The thing which has let us down is we've not scored enough goals.
"It will take us up the table if we score the chances we create."
McLeish believes United and Arsenal are the current favourites to win the title.
He said: "I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be United. Chelsea are still a wee bit away now.
"United and Arsenal are favourites now but we say that at different stages of the season and then a couple of results go against you and it changes.
"It has been such a topsy turvy season. It has been a strange one, teams in the lower half beating the top teams.
"Even the top teams have been a little inconsistent but United's recent form has been great."

Man United and Birmingham play to a 1-1 draw

Manchester United relinquished its two-point lead in the Premier League on Tuesday by conceding a disputed late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at lowly Birmingham.
After seeing crosstown rival Manchester City thrash struggling Aston Villa 4-0 thanks to a hat trick by Mario Balotelli, United required a victory at St. Andrews to ensure it would be clear at the top going into 2011.
Top scorer Dimitar Berbatov's 58th-minute strike broke the deadlock, but Lee Bowyer grabbed a dramatic leveler with a minute left in normal time, bundling home from close range after Birmingham substitute Nikola Zigic appeared to handle a deep cross into the box.
The two Manchester clubs are both on 38 points, although United has two games in hand. Arsenal, which visits Wigan on Wednesday, is third, three points behind having played the same number of games as United.
Tottenham beat Newcastle 2-0 to go provisionally fourth ahead of Chelsea, which hosts Bolton on Wednesday.
As well as the handball appeal against Zigic, United also complained that the Serbia striker fouled Rio Ferdinand as he went up to challenge for Roger Johnson's ball into the box. Bowyer could also have been marginally offside, too, before sliding home his finish from four yards.
"There was a handball, a foul on the center back - if the referee can't see it, what chance have we got?" Ferguson said. "I think it's terribly harsh ... we didn't deserve that."
United was lackluster in the first half at St. Andrews as Birmingham suffocated the visitors with its high-tempo pressing game.
Wayne Rooney, still without a goal in open play this campaign, cut a frustrated figure stuck out on the left wing, and the only real hint of a goal came when Ryan Giggs' misdirected cross was touched on to the post by Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster.
The second half was a different story as United looked much more threatening. Three minutes after breaking the deadlock, the in-form Berbatov - who has a league-high 14 goals for the season - dragged a shot against the post from 20 yards.
"We worked really hard but I think we deserved to get a point at the end," said Bowyer, whose side provisionally climbed out of the bottom three. 
Balotelli, who started in place of rested top scorer Carlos Tevez, converted penalties in the eighth and 55th minutes to open and round off the scoring in City's convincing victory at Eastlands.
The Italy striker's other goal came from a tap-in from close range in the 27th minute, after center back Joleon Lescott had made it 2-0 with a fine header from a corner in the 13th.
Reports in the British media suggested Tuesday that Balotelli wants to leave City after failing to settle in Manchester following his 24-million-pound ($37 million) offseason move from European and Italian champion Inter Milan.
The 20-year-old striker has been in and out of City's starting lineup and had only scored twice in the league - both coming at West Bromwich Albion in November - before Villa's welcoming defense arrived at City of Manchester Stadium.
"I think that's normal," City manager Roberto Mancini said, when asked why Balotelli was struggling to adapt. "He is 20, it's his first time away from (Italy) and he's missing his family."
Tottenham had to grind out a win with 10 men for the second time in three days after Younes Kaboul was sent off in the 65th minute for an attempted head-butt on Cheick Tiote.
Aaron Lennon had given Spurs the lead in the 57th, and Gareth Bale eased any nerves by scoring the second with a low shot in the 81st following a rapid counterattack.
Blackpool beat Sunderland 2-0 away, Blackburn won 3-1 at West Brom and Fulham defeated Stoke 2-0 away. Everton drew 1-1 at second-bottom West Ham.
Liverpool hosts Wolves in Wednesday's third match.

Wayne Rooney's Brother coming to America?

Wayne Rooney's brother John Rooney may be coming to America, here is a interview from http://www.mlssoccer.com/:
The English midfielder, who trialed with the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers in August, has signed an MLS contract and will be available for selection by all MLS clubs via the SuperDraft in Baltimore.
MLSsoccer.com caught up with Rooney back in England as he prepares to embark on his American dream.

MLSsoccer.com: Why MLS? What has struck you about the league that you want to play in America?
John Rooney: I’ve been watching the league for a  few years now and it’s getting better and better every year. When I went over there in August I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went to one of the Seattle games [while on trial] and the Sounders fans were great. They [Sounders] had great support and it was a great experience. When I went over there it was fantastic from the start.
MLSsoccer.com: How did the opportunity with Seattle come about?
John Rooney: I played for Macclesfield in the English league and they offered me a new contract and I turned it down. I was focused on the chance and the opportunity to go over there [USA] in August and trial with two teams [Seattle and Portland]. It was the right time in my career to go over there and to improve on my young career.
MLSsoccer.com: Portland manager John Spencer played in England. How did you hit it off during your trial?
John Rooney: I didn’t really speak to him. He had only just got the Portland job when I was there. I really didn’t get to meet him.
MLSsoccer.com: What was your impression from your MLS trials?
John Rooney: I really enjoyed it. The lifestyle and the football there [in USA] was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I wanted to get back over there and have a career over there.
MLSsoccer.com: What’s your position on the field and what are your characteristics?
John Rooney: I trialed at midfield. In Portland I played up front in one game and I moved to midfield. Midfield is my best position. I’m probably more of an attacking midfielder. Getting on the ball and making stuff happens, creating plays.
MLSsoccer.com: How has it been waiting six months without a club? 
John Rooney: It’s been tough. I really wanted to come over there [USA] and now I’m just waiting to get myself going and get started.
MLSsoccer.com: How have you stayed fit over the last six months?
John Rooney: I’ve been training with Tranmere Rovers. Since I’ve come home from the United States I’ve been training there to keep myself fit and in shape. I can’t wait to get going.
MLSsoccer.com: Aside from Macclesfield Town, any other offers that came in for you over the last six months?
John Rooney: There were a few teams sniffing around from the higher leagues but I wanted to change my career and go to the United States to build on my own career over there [in USA].
MLSsoccer.com: Are you familiar with the way the SuperDraft works?
John Rooney: When I first went over [to USA] I started reading up about the draft and how the league worked. For the last six months I’ve been looking at the web site every day and reading about how it works. I have an idea now. I can’t wait to get over there and get started.
MLSsoccer.com: Do you have an idea of the teams which are interested in you?
John Rooney: When the draft comes. I haven’t spoken to any teams at the moment. When the combine starts I need to address the coaches that are watching and take it from there.
MLSsoccer.com: Any special connections to the USA?
John Rooney: That was my first time in the United States [in the summer]. But I heard a lot of good stuff. My family was on vacation and they love the United States. When I went over there I was just surprised how good it was and I couldn’t wait to get back over there [to USA] and play soccer over there.
MLSsoccer.com: What has your brother [Manchester United's Wayne Rooney] told you about the United States?
John Rooney: He told me about a few of the teams he played when they’ve been over on tour. The team [Manchester United] enjoyed it a lot and he likes it over there [in USA].
MLSsoccer.com: Do you see this as an opportunity to make a name for yourself outside of England?
John Rooney: That’s why I want to get over there [to USA] -- so it’s just me. And I want to build my own career over there and do my best. Hopefully I‘ll enjoy it.
MLSsoccer.com: When do you leave England for the United States?
John Rooney: I fly out on the 2^nd of January. I’ll get used to the time change over there and probably take in a bit of training before the Combine starts [Jan. 7].
MLSsoccer.com: In the meantime, any special holiday plans in the Rooney household? 
John Rooney: I’m spending it with the family before I go away. Looking forward to spending it with the family.
MLSsoccer.com: Any messages for MLS fans before they see you at the Combine?
John Rooney: Hopefully they like my style of play, what I bring to the field and the way I am.

Evra Wary of Birmingham City

Patrice Evra is preparing for "one of the most dangerous and important games of the season" ahead of United's visit to Birmingham on Tuesday night.

The Reds fought to win a point during last season's corresponding fixture in what the Frenchman described as the coldest game of his life.
Evra is expecting similar conditions this time round both in terms of the temperature and the opposition and says the Reds must be ready for a battle.
"It's one of the most dangerous and important games of the season," he told MUTV.
"I remember last year's game well - I've never felt so cold in my life! I've played in Moscow, but I never felt that cold. Honestly, in the warm-up I couldn't breathe. It was so difficult.
"We drew there last season, but it was so difficult and the pitch was hard. That's why we must make sure we recover very well [from the Sunderland match] and make sure we are ready for this game because it will be very tough."
Team-mate Ryan Giggs echoed those sentiments, adding: "Birmingham isn't an easy place to go. We've found it tough there in the last couple of years and the fact that they didn't have a game [on Boxing Day] means they'll be fresh."

Bridge Date Set

United's trip to face reigning Premier League champions Chelsea has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 1 March.
The encounter was initially due to be played last Sunday, but was postponed due to heavy snowfall around Stamford Bridge.
The new date is subject to neither side having an FA Cup fifth round replay to shoehorn into an already tight fixtures schedule. Should both teams exit the competition in the third or fourth round, the fixture could be brought forward to an earlier weekend.
Should the Reds travel to West London on 1 March, however, it will fall amid a series of away games. United travel to Marseille (23 February), Wigan (26 February) and Liverpool (5 March).
Though Sir Alex admits last weekend's postponement perhaps suited Chelsea more than United, with the champions currently struggling for top form, he retains confidence that his side can end a long winless run at Stamford Bridge.
"They were in a bad bit of form and they were probably quite happy to get the game off; that’s one way of looking at it," the manager told his pre-Sunderland press conference. "But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter when we’re going to Chelsea, we’ve got to be confident of going there with the right team to win."