The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Park inks new deal with Man United Posted: 12 Aug 2011 07:58 AM PDT  Park will stay on for another two seasons. — Reuters pic The 30-year-old South Korean, who has made 177 appearances since joining the club in 2005, has built a reputation as a big game player able to relentlessly break up opposition attacks and send his own team mates on the offensive. "Ji has been an important player for us for a number of years now," United manager Alex Ferguson said in a statement. "He has great ability and energy and in recent seasons has added the knack of scoring important goals in big games. He is a popular member of the squad and his experience at domestic and international level is invaluable for the younger players." The first Asian to compete in a Champions League final in 2009, Park is adored in his home country. "I have enjoyed every minute of my time at United. I'm delighted to be part of the club during this latest stage in its history — with another exciting young team being built," the midfielder said. "I'm looking forward to playing my part in keeping United at the top of the game." — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Mancini hears clock ticking over incomplete squad Posted: 12 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT  Mancini gestures during the FA Community Shield match against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium August 7, 2011. — Reuters pic Even the alarm on his wristwatch was beeping loudly as if to stress the point that time was running out to sign France forward Samir Nasri from Arsenal before Monday's home opener against Swansea City. Mancini has made no secret of his desire to sign Nasri, breaking an unwritten rule last month of not naming transfer targets, and while he did not mention him by name at today's news conference, the questions he faced were all about him. "We have not completed our team and I hope that we can do this very, very quickly because we need other players," the Italian said. "I think that the club is still working on this (Nasri deal), it is not easy... it is important we can complete our team very quickly in the next days and next week because the first games are very important. "I think that if we complete our squad... I think we can fight for the title this year." He was frustrated that an agreement had not been reached earlier, saying he preferred players to arrive before the season so that they had more time to prepare with their team mates. "When we have a target for two or three months, it is important that this player can arrive," he said. "It was important to have this player in July, when we worked with the team, now maybe it will be difficult because we need time." While bringing in one player is taking some time, the possible sale of another is also dragging on with Mancini saying there had been no new approaches for unsettled striker Carlos Tevez. Argentine Tevez, keen to leave because of homesickness, returned to training this week after a holiday following the Copa America. He had been set to move to Corinthians but the Brazilian club pulled the plug on the deal last month. "I think that we should wait these two weeks until the end of the month (when the transfer window closes), it is difficult that he can leave... because at the moment Carlos is here and there isn't a team that wants to take him," Mancini said. "I am happy if he stays." The path had seemingly been paved for Tevez's departure with the club signing Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, seen as a natural replacement for his compatriot. The 23-year-old may have to wait for his debut, though, with Mancini saying he was not yet ready for a full game. Big-spending City made a major breakthrough last season by winning the FA Cup, their first trophy for 35 years, and are now widely viewed as serious contenders for a first league title since 1968. They were, however, given a reality check last Sunday when they let slip a two-goal lead to lost 3-2 to neighbours Manchester United in the season-opening Community Shield at Wembley. Mancini refused to read too much into that, saying it was a learning exercise. "I think it is important that we were in the match always, we were 2-0. It is important for us that we understand why we lost this game." — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
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