Tevez tit-for-tat touches a nerve

Sir Alex Ferguson bucked his customary trend of keeping transfer issues in-house on Wednesday when he was moved to insist Manchester United will do everything in their power to keep hold of Carlos Tevez.

The Old Trafford boss has when pressed played a straight bat on the future of the Argentina international but came out fighting in the face of more fans' cries to "sign him up" in the aftermatch of Tevez's equaliser at the JJB Stadium which set the Premier League leaders on their way to a stirring 2-1 comeback win against Wigan.

The sticking point is the £22m that would be needed to turn Tevez's existing two-year loan into a permanent agreement – a fee Old Trafford officials are reluctant to match.

The impasse comes amid claims and counter-claims from both sides of the fence and at a time when United need just one more point to secure a third successive and record-equalling 18th domestic title.

Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian, has fanned the flames by insisting his client has not received a formal offer and that he is he now willing to talk to a growing list of potential suitors, including fierecest rivals Liverpool, neighbours Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Ferguson fought tooth and nail to deny former defender Gabriel Heinze a transfer down the East Lancs Road in 2007, but even his powers of persuasion could be tested this time around because Tevez is not contracted to a club but by companies that own his economic rights.

Ferguson has described as "far-fetched" reports that United want the 25-year-old to break his contract with Joorabchian, although his assertion on Wednesday that the fans "love a trier" was hardly gushing praise.

"There was a meeting with (chief executive) David Gill on Wednesday, that is a clear fact," he added.

"They discussed the avenue under which Carlos could stay with Manchester United. End of story.

"I realise you (the media) speak to his agent but I do not wish to discuss the matter any further."

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King Scholes still holds court

The revelation from Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, that he has never once in his 22-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford received an inquiry for Paul Scholes was, perhaps, predictable.

"Funnily enough we have never had one inquiry and you know why?" said Ferguson, as Scholes prepares to make his 600th appearance for the club against Portsmouth on Wednesday. "They all know he wouldn't want to leave here."

The quiet man of M16, Scholes has always let his football do the talking, while other, arguably more illustrious opponents, past and present, have been always willing to sing his praises.

"I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football. It's Paul Scholes," club ambassador Sir Bobby Charlton said earlier this season.

World Cup winner and France legend Zinedine Zidane preferred to point to Scholes as "undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation", Edgar Davids argued "everyone of us should emulate him" and Thierry Henry was accurate in his assessment that "he knows how to do everything".

Scholes would no doubt cringe at such admiration, but that should not mask over his contribution since his debut in 1994.

The 34-year-old may no longer make his impeccably-timed runs into opposition penalty areas, but his ability to recycle the ball with such composure remains a joy to watch.

Little wonder then that England manager Fabio Capello made one last unsuccessful attempt this time last year to persuade Scholes to perform a U-turn on his decision to retire from international football.

Steve McClaren also made countless efforts to remind Scholes he was not a left-winger, as he was under Sven Goran Eriksson, and return him to the international stage, but with no reward.

Regardless, it's a safe football bet that England's loss was, and is still is, United's gain.

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ICC World Cup 2011: Matches moved out of Pakistan

Pakistan has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup because of the "uncertain security situation" in the country, a statement released by the International Cricket Council said after its meeting in Dubai. Security in Pakistan was one of the issues that were thought would be discussed in the meeting and this decision comes as no surprise to many, given the recent developments in the country. This decision means Pakistan would lose its share of 16 matches in the ICC World Cup 2011, which will now be shared between co-hosts India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. This is a huge blow for the game in Pakistan and also for the cricket loving people of Pakistan, who were hoping to the mega event staged in their country. But the security issue remains a huge concern after the recent attack on Srilankan cricket team. All that we can hope is peace returns to the country and cricket again is played on Pakistani soil.

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Scholes excited by Porto test

Paul Scholes is convinced Manchester United can do what no other English team has done and beat FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Portuguese giants raised eyebrows when claiming a shock 2-2 draw against the holders at Old Trafford in the quarter-final first leg last week and remain bullish about their chances of a repeat of their team's famous victory against Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the first knockout round in 2003/04 under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho.

United fans have every right to feel some trepidation about the return leg because the current world club champions have not won in three previous visits to Porto and have lost their last four knockout ties in the Champions League when they have played the second leg away from home.
However, veteran midfielder Scholes, who set United on their way to a narrow 2-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday, has revealed his football prediction: United will win.

"All we've got to do at Porto is win a football match," said Scholes. "With the players we've got I'm sure we can do it."

Key defender Rio Ferdinand, who missed last week's home draw because of a groin injury suffered on England duty, did board the plane to Portugal and will partner Nemanja Vidic if he is passed fit.

Young full-back Rafael da Silva also made the journey, along with countryman Anderson, who spent two seasons with Porto between 2005 and 2007.

Manchester United squad:
Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak; Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea, J. Evans; Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Nani, Giggs; Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda.

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PFA Players' Award : Nominees

Manchester United players dominate the nominees to be crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year, with five of the six contenders hailing from the current Premier League leaders. There are five Reds in the running - goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and attacking midfielders Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo. The only opposition player on the six-strong shortlist is Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. This comes as no surprise given the position of the clubs in the Barclays Premier League table. Ronaldo, who has had a quiet season by his standards, has still made it to the list and he is the leading scorer in the Premier League till now. The nomination of the back line of Manchester United is inevitable as they set the record for the most number of consecutive clean sheets. Gerrard has played a stellar role of Liverpool and their current position is largely due to the the performance of Steve G. Among young players, the domination of Manchester United continued with Rafael Da Silva and Jonny Evans nominated. Aston Villa duo of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor also find themselves on the list. Manchester City's Stephen Ireland also figures in the list along with Lennon. All in all, there haven't been any surprises in the nominations this year. My favourites to win the awards are Vidic and Evans.

Nominations:

PFA Players' Player of the Year contenders:

Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool

Ryan Giggs - Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United

Edwin van der Sar - Manchester United

Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United

PFA Young Player of the Year contenders:

Gabriel Agbonlahor - Aston Villa

Jonny Evans - Manchester United

Stephen Ireland - Manchester City

Aaron Lennon - Tottenham Hotspur

Rafael Da Silva - Manchester United

Ashley Young - Aston Villa

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World Cup Qualifiers: Brasil - Peru goals

Brasil put behind them the disappointing results of late and turned in a really good show against Peru and won 3-0. Sevilla star Luis Fabiano was the architect of this victory with a brace. Kaka was returning to the national squad after his recent injury and earned a penalty kick, which was converted by Fabiano. Overall it was a satisfactory night for the Samba boys and their coach Dunga.

Brasil 3 - 0 Peru
1-0 - Fabiano (Pen) - Watch - Download
2-0 - Fabiano - Watch - Download
3-0 - Melo- Watch - Download

Highlights - Watch - Download

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Mourinho makes for special case

Old Trafford officials will next summer begin the unenviable task of finding a replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, if, as his son Darren has suggested, the game's longest-serving manager decides to bring the curtain down on his distinguished career.

They may not have to look that far if Jose Mourinho has his way.

The self-styled 'Special One' has in his own inimitable way put forward his case to fill Ferguson's almighty size 10s and launch the next phase of his successful, and sometimes turbulent, career.

There are arguments for and against and Manchester United players past and present have already waded into the debate.

Rio Ferdinand suggested the Portuguese coach has the "ego and personality" to throw a supporting arm around Old Trafford's superstars, whereas club ambassador Sir Bobby Charlton was less enthused by Mourinho's swagger.

Bryan Robson also suggested seasoned United supporters accustomed to attacking football at breakneck pace may not take to Mourinho's more pragmatic approach to winning games.

Few managers – not even Ferguson - polarize opinion quite like Mourinho. He guided Chelsea to two Premier League titles in a colourful three-year stay at Stamford Bridge before leaving under a cloud after a fall-out with owner Roman Abramovich.

This season he has taken Internazionale to the brink of the Serie A title but has won few new friends in the process. His propensity to hog the spotlight has seen him become embroiled in an unsavoury fall-out with Juventus counterpart Claudio Ranieri, while Ricardo Quaresma, Mancini and Iván Córdoba have all found themselves on the receiving end of Mourinho's razor-like tongue.

An early exit from the Champions League, ironically against United, also led to Mourinho running for cover from Italian journalists.

Mourinho is more than a bag of wind, however, and his track record dictates that he is as much about substance as he is style.

The man with the film star looks may have to wait a little while longer, in any event, for the chance to deliver the perfect script if Ferguson is this season denied his wish to equal Liverpool's record of 18 domestic titles.

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