D Friday, November 27, 2009 METROSPORT 31 MANCHESTER United defender Gary Neville has taunted arch-rivals Liverpool over their Champions League exit. The nature of the group system means Liverpool could end up with exactly the same number of points as United. Indeed, the Red Devils could lose to Wolfsburg next month and still finish top of Group B if CSKA Moscow beat Besiktas to complete a three-way tie United will edge. Neville (pictured) said: As a team, you get what you deserve. We are where we are as we deserve to be there and its the same with Liverpool. They just havent performed well enough in the Champions League to get the results. NEMANJA VIDIC insists he wants to stay at Manchester United and be the defensive rock Sir Alex Ferguson builds his team around. Vidics Old Trafford future has been called into question after he indicated in an inter- view in Russia both he and his wife Ana are unhappy with life in the north-west of Eng- land and particularly the climate. Barcelona and AC Milan are both report- edly keen on signing the 28-year-old, who is now firmly established as one of the best cen- tral defenders in the world. But Vidic appears to have had a major change of heart. And instead of looking for an escape route, he wants to become an integral part of the team that must be rebuilt once the likes of Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar call time on their careers. I am glad to have been part of this club for so many years and if I could be one of the bases on which a new team is built I would be very happy, Vidic said. I have never said I want to go and play in another country. Other people have spoken or written about it and Im not happy with that. But Ive said in the past what I think. I dont want to keep talking about it as I cant stop what people say. The fact is I am happy here. The Serbians current deal expires in 2012 and United would expect to open talks towards the end of this season to avoid letting Vidic leaving at a knock-down price. I will speak about it to the club. But I dont want to push them, he added. We will see what happens. Im here and I am happy. I have shown in the games that I want to be part of the team and to play every game 100 per cent for this club. Vidic plots extended stay as Fergies rock 12 Number of goals scored by Vidic in 165 appearances for Manchester United For team news ahead of the weekends big games go to metro.co.uk/football Neville: Reds deserved to go out FOOTBALLDigest Hodgson set to extend stay at Craven Cottage Retirement a relief for battling Bhoy Kennedy John Kennedy admits the decision to call time on his career after eight operations failed to clear up his knee injury came as a relief. The 26-year- old Celtic defenders injury woes date back to his Scotland debut against Romania in March 2004, when he suffered a serious knee ligament injury. After again damaging his knee on loan at norwich last season, Kennedy acted on medical advice to officially retire from the game. he said: It was getting to the point where I had so many surgeries and so many comebacks that it was vital for someone to make the decision for me. once the decision was made, it was, I suppose, a weight off my shoulders. Bruce has hope for Bent Sunderland boss Steve Bruce hopes he will be able to call upon top scorer darren Bent for tomorrows trip to Wigan. The england striker looked to be facing up to three weeks on the sidelines after limping out of the Black Cats win over arsenal last Saturday with a hamstring injury. But Bruce said: The scans have revealed there is no real tear there so it was probably a matter of cramp and tightness. It would obviously be a huge boost to us all if I have got him available. SOCCER pReMIeR leAgue By KevIn AITKen Fulham boss roy hodgson has agreed a deal to stay at Craven Cottage with in-demand defender Brede hangeland set to follow him in committing his future to the club. hodgsons current deal expires at the end of the season and he recently turned down approaches from Sweden and norway about a return to international football. The 62-year-old former Switzerland, Blackburn and Inter milan boss (pictured) said: I spoke to the chairman and its not been a difficult discussion. I cant put a timescale on it but we are basically in agreement. It seems everyone is keen for me to stay and Ive always made it perfectly clear Im happy to stay here. norway skipper hangeland, 28, has been linked with a move away but is also close to signing a new deal. hodgson added: my information is he will sign very, very shortly. If Im going to stay, Im hoping some of these players stay as well. head boy: vidic is looking forward to being a senior player when united rebuild Picture:Getty index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html32.html33.html34.html35.html