Report: Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City To Battle For Bayern Munich Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger

Bastian Schweinsteiger has yet to extend his contract at Bayern Munich, prompting interest from Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City.

By Clark Whitney

Oct 28, 2010 9:36:00 AM

Highly rated midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has yet to extend his Bayern Munich contract past 2012, and if he does not do so before January, die Roten could face quite a dilemma. Should he opt out of an extension, the Germany international's transfer value would rapidly plummet. Accordingly, Bayern are facing increasing pressure to reach an agreement with the player or sell him in January.

As uncertainty over Schweinsteiger's future builds, Daily Mail have reported that Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all interested in acquiring the services of the versatile midfielder, and could start a bidding war as soon as January.

The likelihood of Schweinsteiger leaving Bayern is still highly in question. A member of the Bayern system since 1998, he has repeatedly pledged allegiance to the Bavarian giants, and sporting director Christian Nerlinger has made clear his intentions to retain the player.

"Bastian is a key figure and not for sale. We'd prefer to keep him for the rest of his career," he said.

Since taking on a holding midfield role last fall, Schweinsteiger has become widely regarded as one of the world's finest holding midfielders. Bayern fended off interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea and City during the summer, and will be keen to avoid a media frenzy by extending Schweinsteiger's contract within the next few weeks.

The German midfielder currently sitts in the 112th spot on the Castrol Rankings.

Taylor Defends Rooney Following Manchester United Saga

PFA boss claims Rooney is an 'easy target' for abuse

By Eliot Rothwell

Oct 27, 2010 10:19:00 AM

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has defended Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney following a week that saw Rooney declare his desire to leave Old Trafford, drawing widespread criticism of the former Everton player.

Speaking to radio station TalkSPORT, Taylor referenced the press release that admitted to fans that Rooney wanted to leave Manchester United, stating that he did not believe that Rooney put together the statement himself.

"He’s an easy target and in this credit crunch it's not been the best of times to have all this talk of wages out in public. It could have been handled better, as has been said by Man United," Taylor said.

"That press release was probably put together by other people but he [Rooney] knew what was in it. He feels he wants to be at a club that’s going places, but to take on Man United and Sir Alex in that matter is not what I would have recommended!"

Taylor also outlined the task that faces the former Everton striker if he is to regain his status as a hero of the Manchester United fans and the PFA chief admitted that the only way to do that was with good performances on the pitch, citing that these events could become a "catalyst" for Rooney.

"Now he’s got to win over the fans again and he can only do that on the pitch, not off it, and everyone is hoping he will do. It’s probably a catalyst in his life and career and now it has to be a lot more constructive and progressive," Taylor commented.

The PFA chief executive also indicated his belief that Rooney should follow the example set by other players and take an active role in the community and charity work.

"I’m so pleased so many of today’s players are setting up their own charities and putting more and more back, and I’m hoping that’s the sort of thing Wayne’s going to get involved in as well," he concluded.

Rooney is staying (22/10/2010 11:29)

22/10/2010 11:29

Rooney is staying

Wayne Rooney has agreed a new five-year contract to stay at Manchester United until at least June 2015.

The agreement follows intensive discussions between the Club and the player’s representatives and means that by the end of his contract Wayne will have been a Manchester United player for 11 years.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United.  I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.

“Sometimes, when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.  I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.

“I’m pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United’s great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for.

“I’m sure everyone involved with the Club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of.”

Wayne Rooney said: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United.  In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the Manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong.  I said on Wednesday the Manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

“I’m signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the Club in the first place.

“I’m sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they’ve read and seen.  But my position was from concern over the future.  The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it’s up to me through my performances to win them over again.”

Manchester United: Manchester United: Ferguson To Bid For Pepe Reina

Manchester United: Manchester United: Ferguson To Bid For Pepe Reina: "Sir Alex Ferguson plans to raid struggling Liverpool in order to buy Pepe Reina.The Scott is looking for a permanent replacement to 40-year-..."

Manchester United: Fabio Capello Is Ready To Drop Wayne Rooney

Fabio Capello is ready to drop Wayne Rooney.

England coach has warned that Wayne Rooney will be picked only on merit.

The striker has been ever-present in the national team over the last few years, but is now experiencing a dip in his form and the Italian says that unless the player improves, he will be dropped.

“If he’s (in form) I’ll play him, otherwise no,” Capello told RAI.

“For anything else, you’ve got to ask (Manchester United manager Sir Alex) Ferguson.”

Rooney is currently out of action with an ankle injury, but is expected to be fit in time for the international matches in November.

Manchester United: Ferguson To Bid For Pepe Reina

Sir Alex Ferguson plans to raid struggling Liverpool in order to buy Pepe Reina.

The Scott is looking for a permanent replacement to 40-year-old Edwin van der Sar and thinks that the Spanish goalkeeper would happily move to a club competing in the Champions League.

Ever since the end of last season, when the Reds finished 7th in the league, and all the problems around the recent takeover, many clubs see Anfield as aplace from which they can easily get good players.

Recent reports suggest that Reina is concerned about the future of Liverpool and is looking at other options.

His price is thought to be around £12 million, which Manchester United should be able to afford.

Secret clause in Wayne Rooney’s new contract – revealed.

Wayne Rooney has a special clause in his new contract at Manchester United, which could allow him to leave the club for £30 million.

The striker signed a new 5-year agreement with the club on Friday last week, but according to The Daily Telegraph all is not as it seems.

Rooney wants Sir Alex Ferguson to spend money on big-name players and the newspaper reports that if these promises are not kept, then the 24-year-old will leave for a cut-down price.

Many experts were surprised that Rooney and United managed to work out an agreement following some damaging comments from both parties over the last 10 days, but it now seems that it is not guaranteed the player will be at the club next season.

Rooney Signs New Contract with Man Utd

In a move that shocked both fans and critics, Wayne Rooney has recently signed a new five-year contract with his club, Manchester United.

“I’m sure everyone involved with the Club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of.”

Wayne Rooney said: “I’m delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the Manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong. I said on Wednesday the Manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that have convinced me to stay.

“I’m signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the Club in the first place.

“I’m sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they’ve read and seen. But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it’s up to me through my performances to win them over again.”

Source from "manchester united official site"

Rooney: I was never going to leave Utd

WAYNE Rooney spoke out for the first time last night over the fury surrounding his contract wrangle - saying: "I was never going to leave Man United."
The 25-year-old striker broke his silence when an angry Red Devils fan confronted him in the lobby of his seven-star Dubai hotel.

He then explained he had NO intention of ever leaving Old Trafford, despite days of turmoil over rumoured moves to rivals Man City or Real Madrid after he said United lacked ambition.

It suggests his management team, led by agent Paul Stretford, stoked up the furore which ended in him staying at United on £250,000-a-week.

Rooney is thought to have fled to the United Arab Emirates to escape the fan backlash, which included an ugly demo at his Cheshire home.

He and wife Coleen, 24, were stopped by the fan as they breezed out to dinner from the Burj Al Arab Hotel last night.

It was the first time the England ace had revealed his feelings over the row in which, at one point, he vowed to quit United.

Earlier Roo and his wife tried to patch up their steak house spat in a series of strained poolside chats.

The Sun told exclusively how a glass was accidentally smashed as the pair argued in a posh restaurant.

Yesterday they rarely smiled or touched as they battled to haul their marriage off the rocks following Roo's sex with two hookers.

Mum-of-one Coleen sat alone by the pool for the second day running - waiting more than an hour for her injured hubby to arrive.

She briefly joined him in the water before sitting by a rock. They then ordered cocktails from a waiter - sipping non-alcoholic treats as sunburnt Roo covered up in a T-shirt from the 36°C heat.