Beckenbauer hates United, that's why. he knows that he will have a better chance at winning something in Spain.
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Michael Ballack? (25 Viewers)
- Thread starter Juventinoo
- Start date
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Why do Real even want Ballack? I mean don't they have enough attacking midfielders? Guti, Zidane, Baptista and to a lesser extent Beckham. They'd do well to spend their money wisely, ie. on a few defensive players. Man Utd on the other hand actually need someone like Ballack now that Keane is gone, Scholes isn't getting any younger, Fletcher isn't the world class player that they need and Smith is still adjusting to his new role. Ah well, what do I care?
With Real Madrid's current situation, Ballack would have to be quite an idiot to accept a transfer there. He would not even be guaranteed a starting spot for Real and with their glut of attacking players he would only be fielded as a holding midfielder which he might not exactly like. For that role he would be restricted going forward, compared to Sir Alex's tactics in Manchester in which he gave Keane some room to wander.
Fergie rules out Ballack bid
Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack.
The 29-year-old Germany skipper is out of contract in the summer and United were thought to be among a host of leading clubs trying to secure his services.
However, while Ferguson confirmed there had been talks with the player's representatives, the United boss revealed he is now looking elsewhere.
'We have considered it for quite a few weeks,' said Ferguson. 'We have had discussions with his people and I think he is a great player.
'But he is similar to players who play in that position for us already like Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes and we want to target players in other positions.'
Ferguson is acutely concerned at the lack of depth in his squad.
After suffering a spate of injuries during the opening weeks of the campaign, at times United have been operating with only 12 senior players.
Although the injury crisis is now easing and Gary Neville and Louis Saha are in the squad to face West Ham on Sunday, Ferguson knows he needs to bring in some new faces.
'The biggest problem for us is numbers,' he said. 'We have been operating with a lot of young players in the team and we badly need a stronger squad.
'That is why we are targeting a couple of other positions.'
Ferguson is acutely concerned at the lack of depth in his squad.
After suffering a spate of injuries during the opening weeks of the campaign, at times United have been operating with only 12 senior players.
Although the injury crisis is now easing and Gary Neville and Louis Saha are in the squad to face West Ham on Sunday, Ferguson knows he needs to bring in some new faces.
'The biggest problem for us is numbers,' he said. 'We have been operating with a lot of young players in the team and we badly need a stronger squad.
'That is why we are targeting a couple of other positions.'
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=350155&cc=5901
Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack.
The 29-year-old Germany skipper is out of contract in the summer and United were thought to be among a host of leading clubs trying to secure his services.
However, while Ferguson confirmed there had been talks with the player's representatives, the United boss revealed he is now looking elsewhere.
'We have considered it for quite a few weeks,' said Ferguson. 'We have had discussions with his people and I think he is a great player.
'But he is similar to players who play in that position for us already like Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes and we want to target players in other positions.'
Ferguson is acutely concerned at the lack of depth in his squad.
After suffering a spate of injuries during the opening weeks of the campaign, at times United have been operating with only 12 senior players.
Although the injury crisis is now easing and Gary Neville and Louis Saha are in the squad to face West Ham on Sunday, Ferguson knows he needs to bring in some new faces.
'The biggest problem for us is numbers,' he said. 'We have been operating with a lot of young players in the team and we badly need a stronger squad.
'That is why we are targeting a couple of other positions.'
Ferguson is acutely concerned at the lack of depth in his squad.
After suffering a spate of injuries during the opening weeks of the campaign, at times United have been operating with only 12 senior players.
Although the injury crisis is now easing and Gary Neville and Louis Saha are in the squad to face West Ham on Sunday, Ferguson knows he needs to bring in some new faces.
'The biggest problem for us is numbers,' he said. 'We have been operating with a lot of young players in the team and we badly need a stronger squad.
'That is why we are targeting a couple of other positions.'
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=350155&cc=5901
United draw a blank as Ballack switches his sights to Real Madrid
Sir Alex Ferguson declared Manchester United's interest in Michael Ballack to be over despite confirming that they had been in talks with Germany's captain for the past five months.
United have been informed Ballack has changed his mind about moving to Manchester in the face of interest from Real Madrid and, anxious not to lose face, Ferguson was keen to make it look as though it was his decision rather than the player's
Privately despondent yet refusing to show even the faintest flicker of regret, the official line from Ferguson is that he has decided Ballack to be an unnecessary luxury. "He's a terrific player, a fabulous player, but he plays in the same area where we already have Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, so we've decided to rule it out."
It is a flawed argument given that Ferguson must have been aware of Ballack's exact role when he instructed United's chief executive David Gill to open talks with the player's agent Michael Becker last June. United were so convinced that the midfielder wanted to join them one official described it as "almost a done deal", revealing a gentleman's agreement was already in place. United also privately let it be known that a financial package had been put together which would have made Ballack the best paid player in the Premiership, with an annual salary of £6m.
Since then, however, Real Madrid have moved into the equation and Ferguson has been faced by the possibility of Ballack joining Ronaldinho and Arjen Robben as high-profile targets who have been snatched from his grasp. Italian clubs are also interested, but Ballack is swayed by the prospect of a move to the Bernabéu.
"We've given Michael Ballack a lot of consideration for the last few months," Ferguson added. "We knew his contract was up at Bayern Munich next summer so we spoke to his people and we've had a lot of discussions since. But the priority has always been to find someone who could replace Roy Keane and Ballack plays a different role. We need to look at other players now; players we actually need."
Inadvertently Ferguson was revealing that United had made illegal approaches to Ballack, who is barred from speaking to prospective new employers until January 1. Bayern are understood to be distinctly unimpressed.
Despite trying to create the impression that United are happy to look elsewhere, Ferguson will know the extent to which a player of Ballack's calibre could have enhanced his team. The argument that he should be discounted because they already have Scholes is seriously undermined, too, as the former England player has been conspicuously off-form for much of the past two seasons. Scholes has yet to score this season and his malaise has been so protracted that there can be no guarantees he will ever rediscover his best form.
Ferguson also admitted he is not assured of bringing in players during the January transfer window. "We're fairly lightweight in terms of numbers and physically, too, when it comes to midfield, certainly when compared to Chelsea. Unfortunately it's not an easy task. We've been talking about replacing Keane for two or three years but the difficulty is finding someone.
"You certainly can't guarantee that January will be a buying time for us. The players we would all like are cup-tied in Europe and any club doing well will not want to sell anyone, let alone to Manchester United. So you're immediately eliminating a large percentage of clubs."
One player who reportedly fits the criterion is Aldo Duscher of Deportivo La Coruña, who is being touted around Europe and has been repeatedly linked with Old Trafford. The Manchester-based agent Francis Martin, who has close ties with Ferguson, has also been given the mandate of helping the Argentinian's Spanish agent find an English club but there has been no interest registered by United yet, officially or unofficially.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1651184,00.html
Sir Alex Ferguson declared Manchester United's interest in Michael Ballack to be over despite confirming that they had been in talks with Germany's captain for the past five months.
United have been informed Ballack has changed his mind about moving to Manchester in the face of interest from Real Madrid and, anxious not to lose face, Ferguson was keen to make it look as though it was his decision rather than the player's
Privately despondent yet refusing to show even the faintest flicker of regret, the official line from Ferguson is that he has decided Ballack to be an unnecessary luxury. "He's a terrific player, a fabulous player, but he plays in the same area where we already have Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, so we've decided to rule it out."
It is a flawed argument given that Ferguson must have been aware of Ballack's exact role when he instructed United's chief executive David Gill to open talks with the player's agent Michael Becker last June. United were so convinced that the midfielder wanted to join them one official described it as "almost a done deal", revealing a gentleman's agreement was already in place. United also privately let it be known that a financial package had been put together which would have made Ballack the best paid player in the Premiership, with an annual salary of £6m.
Since then, however, Real Madrid have moved into the equation and Ferguson has been faced by the possibility of Ballack joining Ronaldinho and Arjen Robben as high-profile targets who have been snatched from his grasp. Italian clubs are also interested, but Ballack is swayed by the prospect of a move to the Bernabéu.
"We've given Michael Ballack a lot of consideration for the last few months," Ferguson added. "We knew his contract was up at Bayern Munich next summer so we spoke to his people and we've had a lot of discussions since. But the priority has always been to find someone who could replace Roy Keane and Ballack plays a different role. We need to look at other players now; players we actually need."
Inadvertently Ferguson was revealing that United had made illegal approaches to Ballack, who is barred from speaking to prospective new employers until January 1. Bayern are understood to be distinctly unimpressed.
Despite trying to create the impression that United are happy to look elsewhere, Ferguson will know the extent to which a player of Ballack's calibre could have enhanced his team. The argument that he should be discounted because they already have Scholes is seriously undermined, too, as the former England player has been conspicuously off-form for much of the past two seasons. Scholes has yet to score this season and his malaise has been so protracted that there can be no guarantees he will ever rediscover his best form.
Ferguson also admitted he is not assured of bringing in players during the January transfer window. "We're fairly lightweight in terms of numbers and physically, too, when it comes to midfield, certainly when compared to Chelsea. Unfortunately it's not an easy task. We've been talking about replacing Keane for two or three years but the difficulty is finding someone.
"You certainly can't guarantee that January will be a buying time for us. The players we would all like are cup-tied in Europe and any club doing well will not want to sell anyone, let alone to Manchester United. So you're immediately eliminating a large percentage of clubs."
One player who reportedly fits the criterion is Aldo Duscher of Deportivo La Coruña, who is being touted around Europe and has been repeatedly linked with Old Trafford. The Manchester-based agent Francis Martin, who has close ties with Ferguson, has also been given the mandate of helping the Argentinian's Spanish agent find an English club but there has been no interest registered by United yet, officially or unofficially.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1651184,00.html
Inter’s chances of signing Michael Ballack increased significantly today when Manchester United pulled out of the chase for the Bayern Munich star.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said that, while he was an admirer of the Germany captain, he would not be attempting to net Ballack in the New Year.
"He's a great player, we have considered him and have had discussions with his people," said Ferguson.
"But he is similar to players who play in that position already like Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes."
The news will come as a huge boost to Internazionale, who have been pursuing the 29-year-old for some time.
With United out of the picture, Bayern’s relationship with the player worsening and Juventus happy with their central pairing of Emerson and Patrick Vieira, it now seems to be a straight duel between the Nerazzurri and Real Madrid for the German’s signature.
The San Siro outfit are known to have excellent relations with Bayern and have already held discussions with the Bavarian club and Ballack’s agent Michael Becker, as reported by Football Italia earlier this month.
With Ballack having already refused the Spanish giants three years ago, Inter – who would have no problem meeting the midfielder’s huge wage demands – will now consider they have a good chance of obtaining his services.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov25h.html
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said that, while he was an admirer of the Germany captain, he would not be attempting to net Ballack in the New Year.
"He's a great player, we have considered him and have had discussions with his people," said Ferguson.
"But he is similar to players who play in that position already like Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes."
The news will come as a huge boost to Internazionale, who have been pursuing the 29-year-old for some time.
With United out of the picture, Bayern’s relationship with the player worsening and Juventus happy with their central pairing of Emerson and Patrick Vieira, it now seems to be a straight duel between the Nerazzurri and Real Madrid for the German’s signature.
The San Siro outfit are known to have excellent relations with Bayern and have already held discussions with the Bavarian club and Ballack’s agent Michael Becker, as reported by Football Italia earlier this month.
With Ballack having already refused the Spanish giants three years ago, Inter – who would have no problem meeting the midfielder’s huge wage demands – will now consider they have a good chance of obtaining his services.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/nov25h.html
