Maple Lions

Just when you thought that the Special One couldn’t get any more petulant,

• Chelsea faces a slog as they tackle Barça in the group stages
• The Red Devils face Celtic
• Team France go head to head against the likes of former CL winners Porto and former UEFA Cup champions CSKA Moscow
• The Scouse take on PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux, Galatasaray

Only the Blues failed among English sides to make top seed in its group. Full details here.

Paul Canniff

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Real Madrid claims to have snagged Ruud Van Nistelrooy. As with any statement emerging from the bowels of the Bernabeu, let’s wait for the clarification.

UPDATE — The Telly provides Old Trafford’s side of the story:

A statement released by United said: “We have given permission for Ruud van Nistelrooy to travel to Real Madrid for a medical. But the terms of agreement are yet to be finalised between the two clubs.”

Paul Canniff

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So Old Trafford management have smacked down any talk of Cristiano Ronaldo seeking refuge in Madrid.

Meanwhile,

• The Glazers are seeking a £500M loan against future ticket sales.
• Juve plan on a fire-sale of top players that would do Mel Lastman proud, as they ready for their debut on calcio’s dinner-theatre circuit.

As always, gentle reader, follow the money.

Paul Canniff

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Hard to believe, but there really is a whole world of football outside the four-year cycle of collective delirium.  And much has been transpiring while Wayne Rooney introduced Carvalho to the Croxteth production of “Riverdance” and Zizou displayed his mastery of the Glasgow handshake:

• Both Bayern and Real Madrid have Ruud Van Nistelrooy in their sights. He could inject some new life into the Bernabeu lineup but I shudder at seeing such talent warehoused at football’s Shady Pines Rest Home for Millionaires.
• The Magpies may have relief Klose at hand. Alan Shearer sees the German striker as his potential replacement at St. James’.

Paul Canniff

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The reliably pompous build-up to the Real Madrid club presidential election sees Arjen Robben and Cristiano Ronaldo caught up in the Bernabeu rumour mills.

One can reasonably assume that little will come of this in either instance.  Truly the Galacticos’ management seem more like a casting call for Inside the Actors Studio than a collection of competent football leaders.

Paul Canniff

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1. Liverpool has suddenly expressed interest in one of the few footballers Don Cherry could love.
2. Man United are on their way to snagging Michael Carrick from Spurs.
3. Ex-Blue and freshly minted Nou Camp tenant Eidur Gudjohnsen rips a page from The Special One’s communications strategy and shares the love.
4. The first set of draws for the Carling Cup, starting with the Championship clubs, takes place tomorrow.

Paul Canniff

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The Telegraph’s Tim Rich reviews the first year of Man U’s acquisition by Malcolm Glazer.

Paul Canniff 

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Man U CEO David Gill puts the price tag on Ruud van Nistelrooy: £10M.

Gentlemen, crack open those chequebooks!

Paul Canniff

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Man United’s 4-0 thumping of Charlton keeps them in second place and an automatic spot in the Champions League. Arsenal will finish the season in fourth, dropping Spurs to fifth and the UEFA Cup. And the Mags best Chelsea 1-0 to finish seventh, which gives them an Intertoto Cup spot - not much, perhaps, but more than we could have hoped for when the Souness era mercifully came to an end.

Damian P.

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Along with the World Cup, there will, of course, be lots of transfers (both rumoured and actual) to talk about during the summer months. Things are already hopping at the Rumour Mill over at ToffeeWeb.com. Joseph Yobo going, no staying, no going. Diego Forlan to Goodison? Joleone Lescott from Wolves and Cameron Jerome from Cardiff City? Tim Howard as the New Nigel? Zoltan Gera from relegated West Brom. AJ is sort of always looming out there. Recent rumours included the Mancs swooping for Tim Cahill (say it ain’t so) and Moyes going after Spurs target Lomano Lua Lua.

Ah yes, a rich vein of blogging ore. If the rumours can be any indication of what will eventually happen, it at least appears that Moyes has firepower on his mind.

Mikel Arteta rightfully received Everton’s Player of the Year, as well as Players’ Player of the Year Awards this week. Congrats, Mikel! Well-deserved.

Mike C.

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