30 METROSPORT Tuesday, December 8, 2009 D GROUP B P W D L F A Pts Man Utd 5 3 1 1 7 5 10 Wolfsburg 5 2 1 2 8 5 7 CSKA Moscow 5 2 1 2 8 9 7 Besiktas 5 1 1 3 2 6 4 Transfer talk BOJAN KRKIC could be the answer to Arsenals striker crisis with the Gunners believed to be interested in a January swoop for the Barcelona man (pictured). Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy when the transfer window opens despite losing Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo to injury. But 19-year-old Krkic, who was born in Spain to a Serbian father and Spanish mother, is a target as he is not a regular at the Nou Camp. Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, meanwhile, has again been linked with a return to his native Spain with either Barca or Real Madrid, who are said to be prepared to pay a whopping 50million for the midfielders services. Wenger lines up Bojan bid Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia, who plays for Swiss side young Boys, could join Spurs in the new year. o CheLSeA may make a shock move for Inter Milans Patrick vieira while Fulhams Paul Konchesky is said to be interesting Birmingham. EvERtON will look to Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan for goals in January and are also keeping an eye on Newcastle defender Steven taylor. oo Ferguson refuses to be green about Gill MAnCheSter United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has distanced himself from speculation linking Wolfsburg striker edin Dzeko with a big-money move to Manchester United. Despite assistant boss Mike Phelan admitting there could be interest, Ferguson said: It is an age-old story. every time someone does well against Manchester United we are going to buy him the next day. the 23-year-old Bosnian (pictured) scored against United at old trafford in September and has 40 goals in 75 Bundesliga appearances. With Wolfsburg unlikely to repeat their surprise title triumph of last season, Dzeko seems certain to leave next summer. Indeed, if the price is right, they might even be persuaded to do a deal during the January transfer window, although such a move would be resisted if Wolfsburg reach the Champions League knockout stages. Fergie quashes talk of Dzeko deal emergency cover: oliver Gill Picture:Reuters SOCCER ChAMPIonS LeAGUe By KevIn AItKen MANChEStER City goalkeeper Shay Given has revealed a heated dressing room discussion led to his side turning around their form. City had drawn seven successive Premier League games before beating leaders Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday to move up to sixth place. And Republic of Ireland No.1 Given has admitted City got to the bottom of their problems after being held 1-1 at home by hull. the odd rollicking never did anyone any harm if you take it in the right way, said Given, 33. We are all grown men and you have to take criticism when it comes along. We had to address things and we did. Weve set the bar now and we cant drop below it. Shay: City boys were Given a right rollicking PORtUGAL and Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been included on the shortlist for the Fifa World Player of the Year award. the 2008 winner is one of five contenders for the award alongside Real Madrid team- mate Kaka and Barcelona trio Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi. Argentinas Messi and Spain midfield duo Iniesta and Xavi were at the forefront of Barcelonas treble success of Champions League, Primera Division and Copa del Rey. Messi is favourite to land the gong after recently winning the Ballon dOr as Europes top player. the winners will be announced at the Fifa World Player Gala on December 21 in Switzerland. Ronaldo one of five chasing World award JIMMy BULLArDS knee injury is not as bad as was initially feared but the hull midfielder could still be sidelined for up to eight weeks. Bullard, Premier League player of the month for november, left the pitch in tears after landing awkwardly following a challenge in the 3-0 loss at Aston villa. the injury came in just his fifth game since returning from an eight- month lay off following surgery on his other knee. Bullard and hull feared the worst but after a scan last night delivered positive news, boss Phil Brown said: Im now very hopeful Jimmy will be back on the field of play before the transfer window closes. Brown boosted as Bullard eyes January return Sir Alex Ferguson insists there will be no preferential treatment for Oliver Gill, even though the son of chief executive David Gill has been drafted in as emergen- cy cover for Manchester Uniteds Champi- ons league encounter with Wolfsburg. With 12 players injured, ryan Giggs rested and Owen Hargreaves still to make an appearance this term following major knee surgery, Ferguson has been forced to delve into his B-list of players just to make up a squad Youngsters who have spent two years with a club academy can be added to the original list of 25 players United must sup- ply to Uefa at the start of the competition. Five were on the flight to Germany yes- terday, with Gill among them. But, hav- ing once had his own son Darren on the playing staff, Ferguson is not likely to give the 19-year-old defender an easy path into the first team. it doesnt concern me. if he is good enough, he plays, said Ferguson. That is the name of the game at Manchester United. i had my own son in the squad for four or five years and he was treated exactly the same as any other member of the squad. it will be the same for Oliver. United have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition but a draw this evening would guarantee them top spot in Group B. But Fergusons mind will al- ready be wandering to Saturdays en- counter with Aston Villa and how many of his injury victims might return. Nemanja Vidic should have shrugged off his flu virus and while Wayne rooney and Dimitar Berbatov should return, the only other potential comeback to face Villa is Wes Brown, who limped out of Saturdays win at West Ham in the final minute with a hamstring injury. We hope we can get Wes fit but it is not going to be an easy one, said the United boss. That is my concern at the moment, getting players back from injury. i have to look at the bigger picture at this stage. i have to look at Saturday and future league games after that. 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.html