JULY 23rd 2008
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Fergie draws first blood...
FERGUSON'S JOSE TAUNT FOR SCOLARI
By Peter Edwards
SIR Alex Ferguson has fired the first salvo of the Premier League war of words by telling Luiz Felipe Scolari: “You can’t better Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.”
Manchester United boss Ferguson suggested Scolari will find it impossible to improve on Mourinho’s two titles, and claimed Chelsea’s squad is too old to take another step up. “I’m not concerned about Chelsea,” he said. “Mourinho won the title two years in a row and beat us in the FA Cup final.
“Avram Grant did a good job, but no one can improve on Mourinho’s record.
“Yes, it will be a challenge with the players they’ve got and the players they’ve added. They’ve got a lot of experience and that was the one thing I was a bit concerned about.
“The likes of Ballack had big-game experience. But I don’t know how far that team has got to go.”
Scolari got under Ferguson’s skin last season when he was accused of over-using Cristiano Ronaldo in friendly matches for Portugal. Scolari hit back by wading into the Ronaldo transfer saga.
“Scolari is fortunate. He is joining a big club and he is joining a team of internationals,” said Ferguson. “But it’s hard to see where there’s going to be a big improvement with a team that’s really very experienced. Maybe they’ve plateaued.
“How can they accelerate beyond what they’ve done up to now, when you see the ages they’ve got in their squad, apart from Kalou and Obi, who are young.
“I’m not saying they’re old, with modern-day training methods you should be playing in your 30s. But I don’t see outstanding progress in a team in their 30s.”
Ferguson has seen off many managerial rivals in his 22 years at Old Trafford, including Mourinho.
His clashes with Scolari are sure to be a feature of this season – the first one comes at Stamford Bridge in September – and for now, Ferguson remains dismissive.
“I don’t know him,” he added. “We played against him when we won the world club championship against Palmeiras in 1999.
“I don’t think he speaks English, does he? He has managed a lot of clubs so he is experienced and that’s one thing in his favour.”
Ferguson also feels with 17 titles in the bag United have nothing further to prove to record-holders Liverpool.
As United bid for a third successive Premier League success to join Liverpool at the top of the winners’ list, he said: “I don’t think it’s a motivation for me. We proved the point about overcoming Liverpool when I came. That was the time to do something about it.
“The four at the top will be at the top again. I’m trying to see whether someone can break in and I just can’t.
“As for us equalling Liverpool’s 18 titles, it’s sure to happen.”
"You can’t better Jose Mourinho at Chelsea"
-Sir Alex Ferguson
Barry booed as Villa beat Saddlers http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...853806,00.html
Wantaway midfielder Gareth Barry was booed throughout the hour he played in Aston Villa's 3-2 win over Walsall at Bescot Stadium on Tuesday.
The England international has made it clear he wants to leave the club, with Liverpool his preferred destination, and he was fined and told to stay away from training earlier this month for criticising manager Martin O'Neill.
Barry has since returned for pre-season preparations and was included from the start against Walsall, who took the lead through Alex Nicholls in the 42nd minute.
Shaun Maloney equalised with a 62nd-minute free-kick but trialist Patrick Suffo, the former Sheffield United striker, made it 2-1 to the home side with a low drive.
Maloney levelled again from close range with 10 minutes remaining before Wayne Routledge volleyed home the winner four minutes from time.
Toffees triumph without missing Johnson...
In-demand striker Andy Johnson was not involved as Everton enjoyed a 1-0 friendly win at Preston North End on Tuesday evening.
Voronin back to his usual ways...
Andriy Voronin had a penalty saved but Liverpool maintained their unbeaten record so far in pre-season with a 0-0 draw against Hertha Berlin.
Walcott scores in Gunners draw
Theo Walcott responded to Arsene Wenger's call to arms but Arsenal could only draw 1-1 with Szombathelyi Haladas at the Haladas VSE Stadium.
Essien defends the Chelsea old brigade after Ferguson attack on squad http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/...o?ito=newsnow&
By Simon Cass
Michael Essien has rejected Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that Chelsea will struggle to progress this season because of the age of some players in their squad.
The 25-year-old Ghana midfielder, who signed a new five-year deal on Tuesday, insisted the experience of the Stamford Bridge old guard will help them seize the title back from Manchester United.
Essien believes the influence of Chelsea's '30 and over' brigade can only help their chances. Asked who will win the league, Essien replied: 'For me, only Chelsea. Chelsea will win the title this year. Players like Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Deco are world class. As you can see in training and in matches, they can always change a game.'
'They're not the same kind of player. Everybody has his own style of play and they help the team a lot. We've got this mentality of winning. They've had it already. That'll be good for us. They're bad losers, like me. Everybody wants to win.'
Countering Ferguson's argument that Chelsea will struggle to develop given the average age of their squad, Essien added: 'To train and play alongside that kind of player, you improve a lot. We have a lot of world-class players and it's a privilege for me to work under them and improve with them every day.'
Fergie puts faith in Foster
United boss backs keeper to return to international fold
Sir Alex Ferguson is tipping Ben Foster to break back into the England squad following his return to fitness.
The Manchester United goalkeeper collected his sole England cap to date in a friendly against Spain in early 2007 while on loan at Watford.
He missed the bulk of last season due to a knee injury, but is now pushing for a starting spot at United and produced a solid show in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates.
And United boss Ferguson expects Foster to challenge for the No.1 jersey at both club and international level during the coming season.
Opportunity
"I still believe Ben will be England's goalkeeper for the next few years," said Ferguson.
"We did not expect him to get fit so quickly last season and I did not include him in our European squad.
"When I saw his performance against Derby there was maybe some regret on my part.
"The ability he has he is going to be challenging for a first-team place next season. That can only be good news for England.
"With an experienced goalkeeper like David James coming back in the squad it tells you there is an opportunity for someone like Ben."
No need to panic
However, Ferguson acknowledged that Foster faces a battle to dislodge the evergreen Edwin van der Sar from the United starting line-up.
He added: "It will be difficult for Ben only because he is in competition with one of the best goalkeepers of all time.
"Edwin is a man of great experience and consistency and has looked after himself so well.
"He can play until he is 40. Ben is 24, so can play for the next 14 to 15 years. There is no need for the boy to panic. His time will come."
Other delicious dollops of gossip...
Hull striker Dean Windass will not be moving to Leeds as he wants "another crack at the Premier League". (PA, 1332 BST)
AC Milan deny receiving a 150 million euros (£120m) offer from Chelsea or any other club for Kaka. (AC Milan website, 1220 BST)
The Italian giants have revealed that Real Madrid are also interested in Brazilian playmaker Kaka. (Spanish newspaper Marca, 1220 BST)
Chelsea deny making a bid for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o - despite the Cameroon international's claims otherwise. (PA, 1217 BST)
Reading boss Steve Coppell has warned he will raise the prices of his players the nearer it gets to the transfer deadline because he would not be able to find replacements. (The Sun)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has backed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's stance against Real Madrid over winger Cristiano Ronaldo, accusing the Spanish club of being "irresponsible". (Daily Mirror)
Old Trafford boss Ferguson has warned Michael Carrick he faces a battle to win a place in the England team. (Daily Mirror)
AND FINALLY
Former Colombia keeper Rene Higuita's 'scorpion kick' has been voted football's greatest trick in an online poll. His audacious effort in a friendly against England at Wembley beat Ronaldinho's 'elastic dribble' into second place. Cristiano Ronaldo's step-overs tied for third. (Daily Mirror)
Younes Kaboul's move from Tottenham to Sunderland is poised to go through - despite the player's agent saying Kaboul wouldn't join the Black Cats "even if there was an earthquake". (The Guardian) 
