Sam Allardyce has suggested David Moyes requires £200m to turn Man United around, while Alan Pardew says Newcastle have limited funds to spend.
Pepe Reina will not be coming back to Liverpool and Robin van Persie will not be punished for blasting his Manchester United team-mates.
Pepe Reina will not be coming back to Liverpool and Robin van Persie will not be punished for blasting his Manchester United team-mates.
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is a target for Hull City, while David Moyes is to benefit from a new scouting system at Manchester United.
Liverpool are reportedly lining up a bid to sign Barcelona's Bojan Krkic, while Patrice Evra could leave Manchester United for Inter Milan.
Newcastle say they had a £10m bid rejected for Lyon's Clement Grenier and bookmakers have suspended betting on WBA's Pepe Mel to be sacked.
Julian Draxler may have to decide between Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the summer, while PSG and Monaco both want Hugo Lloris from Tottenham.
Tuesday 25th February 2014 23:14
Print Article 
Email Article David Moyes admits he must shoulder the responsibility for Manchester United's 'worst' performance in Europe this season.
In what has been a testing debut campaign at the Old Trafford helm for Moyes, the Scot saw his troops suffer another crushing blow at Olympiakos on Tuesday.
A 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter has left United with a mountain to climb if their continental quest is to continue.
Moyes concedes that the Red Devils failed to produce the required standard on Greek soil and paid the price, but he is refusing to throw in the towel and believes anything is still possible in the return date at Old Trafford.
He said: "It's the worst we've played in Europe, that's for sure. A really poor performance tonight. We never got going from the start and we didn't deserve anything because of the way we played tonight.
"We just never really got to grips with things. To a man, you could hardly pick anyone out, we just didn't perform. We came into the game in good form, a good mind set, but we didn't show that tonight.
"I still didn't think we were necessarily two goals worse off in the game. We had a shot that gets deflected, but we didn't offer enough on the night.
"I take responsibility, it's my team and I'll always front it up. We didn't play well tonight and we have to play better. We can do. The one good thing is that there is the second game to go.
"The players are hurting as well. They know how they performed. But there is a team here, that won't change, and we'll stick together.
"There is the second game to come and Old Trafford has seen some great nights in the past - I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing another one."
Tuesday 25th February 2014 23:14
Print Article Email Article David Moyes admits he must shoulder the responsibility for Manchester United's 'worst' performance in Europe this season.
In what has been a testing debut campaign at the Old Trafford helm for Moyes, the Scot saw his troops suffer another crushing blow at Olympiakos on Tuesday.
A 2-0 reversal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 encounter has left United with a mountain to climb if their continental quest is to continue.
Moyes concedes that the Red Devils failed to produce the required standard on Greek soil, and paid the price, but he is refusing to throw in the towel and believes anything is still possible in the return date at Old Trafford.
He said: "It's the worst we've played in Europe, that's for sure. A really poor performance tonight. We never got going from the start and we didn't deserve anything because of the way we played tonight.
"We just never really got to grips with things. To a man, you could hardly pick anyone out, we just didn't perform. We came into the game in good form, a good mind set, but we didn't show that tonight.
"I still didn't think we were necessarily two goals worse off in the game. We had a shot that gets deflected, but we didn't offer enough on the night.
"I take responsibility, it's my team and I'll always front it up. We didn't play well tonight and we have to play better. We can do. The one good thing is that there is the second game to go.
"The players are hurting as well. They know how they performed. But there is a team here, that won't change, and we'll stick together.
"There is the second game to come and Old Trafford has seen some great nights in the past - I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing another one."
Tuesday 25th February 2014 22:58
Print Article Email Article Michael Carrick insists that the Manchester United players believe they can turn their UEFA Champions League tie with Olympiakos around.
The Red Devils' European ambitions are hanging by a thread following a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 clash in Greece on Tuesday.
David Moyes' men will now have to find the target on at least three occasions in the return date at Old Trafford if they are to make the quarter-finals.
Carrick believes that is possible, despite United's midweek struggles in the final third, with it his opinion that only minor adjustments are required to turn a negative showing into a positive one.
The England midfielder was speaking after seeing goals either side of the interval from Alejandro Dominguez and Joel Campbell condemn United to their first continental setback of the season.
He told Sky Sports: "First half we had decent possession and felt in control of the game. They scored a goal from nothing and it's put them in a good position.
"As obvious as it is to say, second half we didn't start very well and the second goal puts them in a terrific position.
"It would have been nice for us to get an away goal near the end but the tie isn't over yet, we thoroughly believe that, but it's not ideal.
"Over recent weeks we've been doing alright. At the weekend (against Crystal Palace) we played well again.
"I thought first half, coming away in Europe, we were in control, but goals change games and they've scored the first one. Then we probably didn't react in the second half well enough until it was too late.
"Don't get me wrong, to score three goals in this competition is tough but we've done it before and hopefully we'll do it again."
Carrick is also refusing to buy into the belief that United's struggles this season are a direct result of having lost Sir Alex Ferguson's influence on the sidelines.
When pressed on whether the Red Devils lack an inspirational figure in the camp, the experienced midfielder added: "Sir Alex didn't play on the pitch for us. As players we have got to react, we've got to play well, it's as simple as that.
"We've set standards as players over the years and this season hasn't gone so well. We're there to be shot at and we're getting criticism from all angles, everyone is having a bit of a dig and enjoying it, so we've got to take that on the chin and bounce back. I'm sure we will."
Tuesday 25th February 2014 16:00
Print Article Email Article 
Follow Tuesday's football via TEAMtalk's Live Centre, as Olympiakos host Manchester United in the Champions League.
Manchester United team news: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, van Persie.
Olympiakos team news: Roberto, Salino, Manolas, Marcano, Holebas, N'Dinga, Maniatis, Dominguez, Fuster, Campbell, Olaitan.
Follow the minute-by-minute updates from the Karaiskakis Stadium on our Live Centre and have Your Say.
Tuesday 25th February 2014 11:04
Print Article Email Article With the knock-out phase of the Champions League under way, two TEAMtalk writers argue whether Manchester Utd can lift the trophy this season.
In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.
You can vote for your winner using the story comment facility at the bottom of the article, or by declaring your support on Twitter.
Can Manchester United win the Champions League this season?
United get their Champions League campaign back under way tonight with the first leg of their last-16 tie against Olympiakos and our two writers have very different thoughts on their chances in the tournament.
United striker Wayne Rooney is in confident mood, while Robin van Persie believes as many as 10 teams can still lift the trophy in Lisbon on May 24.
Matt Stead and Matt Briggs have their say...
Chelsea in 2012, Milan in 2007, Liverpool in 2005, Real Madrid in 2000. Manchester United in 2014?
While the Red Devils historically belong with these European heavyweights of club football, what the above clubs achieved in those respective years should be proof enough that United - despite their disappointments so far this season - can crown a tumultuous campaign with a stunning Champions League win.
When Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that they finished 6th in the Premier League that season (United's current position), 25 points off top spot (United are currently 15 points off) and losing 10 games (United have lost eight so far).
Milan's victory over Liverpool in 2007 plastered over a league campaign where they finished 4th, with a whopping 36-point gap separating them and champions Inter after seven league defeats.
United will know only too well from their bitter rivals Liverpool that Europe's premier competition can be won during an otherwise poor season. Their unbelievable win in 2005 came when Rafael Benitez's side finished 5th, 37 points off Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and with 14 league defeats under their belt.
Real Madrid's two Champions League wins in the space of three years from 1997 to 2000 helped their fans forget respective 4th and 5th place finishes, too.
Simply put, United can win the Champions League, and it certainly wouldn't be unprecedented. Amidst the havoc of David Moyes' opening salvo in the Premier League, their Champions League form has been terrific as one of just three unbeaten clubs in the competition. With the joint-best defensive record on top of that, there's reason for optimism when the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie sound out United's intentions in the competition.
That Moyes has taken like a duck to water in the competition has come as a surprise to most, if not all, but would a Champions League win for a side clearly brimming with talent be such a shock? Not in my opinion, and I'd back them to beat the world's best if they have to on their way.
United are 25/1 with the bookies to repeat their 2008 heroics and the layers have got this one wrong, because David Moyes' men should be 250/1!
If Moyes' charges can edge past Olympiakos and into the quarter-finals then that will be as good as it gets for the struggling Premier League champions. Their creaking rearguard is more likely to get exposed as the tournament progresses and the opposition improves and with four home league defeats already at Old Trafford this season Europe's elite will not be phased by a trip to Manchester.
United have a terrible record against the better domestic teams this term with just two wins against sides in the top half of the Premier League table and with all the big guns still left in the tournament United's flat-track bully status is unlikely to be effective.
Van Persie is fit again for United, but that's where the positives end for them as new arrival Juan Mata is cup-tied and their lack of midfield options will see them come up short. Without Mata United's lack invention will become evident and I'm not so sure they have the midfield dynamism, even with Marouane Fellaini back, to keep the better sides in check. That will more than likely leave United's rearguard exposed with the opposition's midfield running straight at United's back four - who have conceded 31 goals in just 27 games in the league this season. It all spells trouble for a limited United side, who should see a quarter-final place as a moral victory.
Liverpool and Manchester City both want Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, while Manchester United are monitoring Roma defender Mehdi Benatia.
Pepe Mel will hold make-or-break talks with his West Brom squad and Harry Redknapp points the blame at two failed January transfer moves.
Pepe Mel will hold make-or-break talks with his West Brom squad and Harry Redknapp points the blame at two failed January transfer moves.
Tuesday 25th February 2014 11:04
Print Article Email Article With the knock-out phase of the Champions League under way, two TEAMtalk writers argue whether Manchester Utd can lift the trophy this season.
In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.
You can vote for your winner using the story comment facility at the bottom of the article, or by declaring your support on Twitter.
Can Manchester United win the Champions League this season?
United get their Champions League campaign back under way tonight with the first leg of their last-16 tie against Olympiakos and our two writers have very different thoughts on their chances in the tournament.
United striker Wayne Rooney is in confident mood, while Robin van Persie believes as many as 10 teams can still lift the trophy in Lisbon on May 24.
Matt Stead and Matt Briggs have their say...
Chelsea in 2012, Milan in 2007, Liverpool in 2005, Real Madrid in 2000. Manchester United in 2014?
While the Red Devils historically belong with these European heavyweights of club football, what the above clubs achieved in those respective years should be proof enough that United - despite their disappointments so far this season - can crown a tumultuous campaign with a stunning Champions League win.
When Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that they finished 6th in the Premier League that season (United's current position), 25 points off top spot (United are currently 15 points off) and losing 10 games (United have lost eight so far).
Milan's victory over Liverpool in 2007 plastered over a league campaign where they finished 4th, with a whopping 36-point gap separating them and champions Inter after seven league defeats.
United will know only too well from their bitter rivals Liverpool that Europe's premier competition can be won during an otherwise poor season. Their unbelievable win in 2005 came when Rafael Benitez's side finished 5th, 37 points off Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and with 14 league defeats under their belt.
Real Madrid's two Champions League wins in the space of three years from 1997 to 2000 helped their fans forget respective 4th and 5th place finishes, too.
Simply put, United can win the Champions League, and it certainly wouldn't be unprecedented. Amidst the havoc of David Moyes' opening salvo in the Premier League, their Champions League form has been terrific as one of just three unbeaten clubs in the competition. With the joint-best defensive record on top of that, there's reason for optimism when the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie sound out United's intentions in the competition.
That Moyes has taken like a duck to water in the competition has come as a surprise to most, if not all, but would a Champions League win for a side clearly brimming with talent be such a shock? Not in my opinion, and I'd back them to beat the world's best if they have to on their way.
United are 25/1 with the bookies to repeat their 2008 heroics and the layers have got this one wrong, because David Moyes' men should be 250/1!
If Moyes' charges can edge past Olympiakos and into the quarter-finals then that will be as good as it gets for the struggling Premier League champions. Their creaking rearguard is more likely to get exposed as the tournament progresses and the opposition improves and with four home league defeats already at Old Trafford this season Europe's elite will not be phased by a trip to Manchester.
United have a terrible record against the better domestic teams this term with just two wins against sides in the top half of the Premier League table and with all the big guns still left in the tournament United's flat-track bully status is unlikely to be effective.
Van Persie is fit again for United, but that's where the positives end for them as new arrival Juan Mata is cup-tied and their lack of midfield options will see them come up short. Without Mata United's lack invention will become evident and I'm not so sure they have the midfield dynamism, even with Marouane Fellaini back, to keep the better sides in check. That will more than likely leave United's rearguard exposed with the opposition's midfield running straight at United's back four - who have conceded 31 goals in just 27 games in the league this season. It all spells trouble for a limited United side, who should see a quarter-final place as a moral victory.
Liverpool and Manchester City both want Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, while Manchester United are monitoring Roma defender Mehdi Benatia.
Monday 24th February 2014 16:55
Print Article Email Article Defenders Phil Jones (hip) and Jonny Evans (calf) are out of Manchester United's Champions League clash with Olympiakos in Athens on Tuesday night.
Winger Nani (hamstring) is also sidelined, but defender Rafael and striker Danny Welbeck have overcome their respective head and knee injuries.
Club-record signing Juan Mata is cup-tied having played earlier in the competition for Chelsea.
Olympiakos' top scorer Javier Saviola is out with a thigh problem.
Nemanja Vidic has targeted Champions League glory before leaving Manchester United, while Everton are to check on Lacina Traore's injury.
Jose Mourinho has ruled out swoops for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, while Toni Kroos will be offered £250,000-a-week by Man Utd.
Sunday 23rd February 2014 13:26
Print Article Email Article Roy Hodgson has expressed his satisfaction with England's draw for Euro 2016 qualifying and admitted he was pleased that Wayne Rooney's future had been resolved ahead of the World Cup.
The draw for Euro 2016 pitted England in European qualifying Group E, alongside Switzerland Slovenia, Estonia, San Marino, Lithuania.
The top two in each group will qualify for the 24-team tournament, along with the best third-place side and the winners of the play-offs, and Hodgson was particularly pleased to draw Switzerland, a team he used to manage.
"I am very satisfied with the draw, especially for the fans," Hodgson told Sky Sports.
"We have had some quite tough trips in recent years, and on this occasion they are going to go to places that are much easier to get to and some very pleasant places to visit.
"The name Switzerland always brings a smile to my face because I had four very good years there. They are a good team and it's a very good place to play."
In a rule change from previous tournaments, qualifying for Euro 2016 will see UEFA unveil its 'week of football' idea, with qualifiers taking place every day from the Thursday to Tuesday of double-header international weeks.
However, Hodgson voiced some reservations about the idea, saying: "The thing I am most concerned about is Thursday.
"With our preparation we'd still have to deal with top matches on Super Sunday, which means we wouldn't really get the players to do any sort of work until Tuesday. I think Friday-Tuesday would still be ideal, and Thursday-Sunday does concern me."
Hodgson also welcomed the news that Manchester United striker Rooney had on Friday agreed a long-term contract extension to stay at Old Trafford until 2019.
Rooney's future had been the subject of speculation since last summer, and Hodgson is pleased that the matter has been resolved.
"I trust Wayne and I think that even if his future had not been settled in this way he could have still focused on the World Cup," said Hodgson.
"I don't have any doubts about him, but it must be nice for him to know that he has made the decision and committed probably his entire career to Manchester United and England, and we are very happy for him, and of course we are happy for Manchester United and ourselves as well."
Rooney could be a candidate to captain England by Euro 2016, with Steven Gerrard yet to decide on his international future beyond the summer, and Hodgson has given his backing to both men.
He said: "I certainly wouldn't want to write either of those players off.
"Before I lose anybody I think I will do my best to keep them going as long as they want to keep going and they have the ability to keep going, but Wayne I am sure is a future captain of England and maybe when the day comes that Steven hangs up his boots he will be straight in there."
Manchester United have won the race to sign Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan for £25m, while Steven Gerrard has been linked to Barcelona.
Saturday 22nd February 2014 20:46
Print Article Email Article David Moyes was full of praise for Wayne Rooney after his goal against Crystal Palace and admitted it was vital to secure the striker to a new deal.
Rooney agreed a four-year contract extension on Friday to commit his future to Manchester United until 2019, and he celebrated in style with a wonderful strike in their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Moyes was quick to applaud Rooney for his "exquisite" strike, which quietened the Selhurst Park crowd after Robin van Persie had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot just six minutes earlier.
The Scot was suitably delighted to have secured the striker's services amid persistent enquiries from the likes of Chelsea.
He said: "He's a really important player and you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him.
"He would have been too difficult to replace. There aren't enough top players out there that you can get cheaply or easily.
"Wayne's one of them, one of the top players. He shows it week in, week out for us and you can see the change in him - his leadership, what he's trying to bring to the team.
"We want him to keep at it and I'm sure he will. He's a boy who wants to continue to get better."
Moyes was pleased to come out on top against Palace after a competitive clash, when they had to work hard to break through stubborn resistance.
He said: "Crystal Palace have been doing well since Tony Pulis took over. It's been a difficult place for any team to come and win.
"They've not conceded many goals and they've made themselves hard to beat again today, but thankfully we got two goals in the second half."
Saturday 22nd February 2014 20:21
Print Article Email Article Wayne Rooney insisted he had always let his football do the talking after putting the gloss on his new Manchester United contract with a goal in their 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old England forward this week agreed a lucrative new deal to keep him at Old Trafford until 2019 and duly followed up Robin van Persie's penalty to rubber-stamp United's first league win in four attempts.
The deal had taken some time to negotiate but Rooney stressed after Saturday's match at Selhurst Park that his commitment had never wavered, and he was now just looking forward to playing his part in the club's future.
"I've been trying to do well for the team and trying to help us win," he told Sky Sports 1.
"Whether I'm signing a new deal or not I always give 110 per cent on the pitch and that's what I've done today.
"It's been more or less agreed for a month now and it was just the fine details that needed sorting. I wanted to get it done as quickly as possible and thankfully it's behind me and I can concentrate on my football.
"Obviously I've been letting my football do the talking but I'm happy and settled."
Rooney admitted it was a vital victory at Palace, as United moved up to sixth place in the Premier League and closed the gap on Tottenham in fifth to five points.
They still trail fourth-placed Liverpool by eight points, having now played a game more, but Rooney was encouraged by the performance against Palace.
"Today was a big result for us," he said.
"It was a good victory. I thought we played well and it was a good win.
"We moved the ball well, maybe could have created more chances but overall we were in control of the game and once we got one goal we knew we'd get another and see the game out.
"It's tough getting that first goal but thankfully Robin put the penalty away and I think it was a great three points."
Saturday 22nd February 2014 8:55
Print Article Email Article Manchester United boss David Moyes told striker Wayne Rooney he had "gone soft" when they met last summer.
Rooney signed a new four-year contract with United on Friday night, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2019.
And United boss Moyes was thrilled to secure Rooney's future, with the striker favourite to become the new club captain next season.
But Moyes revealed he had a heart-to-heart with his former Everton protege last summer before his official appointment as the new manager.
And he told the England international some home truths about his poor form at the end of the 2012-13 season under Moyes' predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I remember when he came to see me," Moyes said. "I said to him: 'If you ask me what's missing - I think you've gone a bit soft'.
"I thought he hadn't been the hard-working, aggressive player he was. But now in games people are saying: 'Look at the effort he is putting in.' It's his work-rate, not just for himself but for the team. He's become an all-round team player who is also a technically gifted footballer.
"I said to Wayne that I wanted him to stay. Before I'd actually come in here, I'd met Wayne privately a couple of times, to talk about his situation, to try to understand. So when I got in (on 1 July) I knew where Wayne was.
"The most important thing for Wayne was to show everyone what he really was and I think deep down he knows he didn't play as well as he could have done at times. I needed to try to get him back to that level. But in the end I just said to him: 'Wayne, go and get on with it.'
"His training was first-class, he came back in great shape, you could really see the hunger back in his eyes again."
Rooney had been regularly linked with move to Chelsea, but he has decided instead to commit his future to United. Moyes is now backing him to earn his place in the club's folklore and break Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record of 249.
Rooney, who is 42 behind, told MUTV: "It's a great opportunity to try to break those kinds of records.
"I'm not too far away even though I've still got a few goals to go, but I'm confident I can reach it. Hopefully it will happen and if it does it will be a really proud moment."
