A lot of reaction to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts in the press today, but I’ll be focusing solely on Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson believes the upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea will play a key role in the Premier League, Bayern Munich deny reports that Bastian Schweinsteiger may join United, and Steve Bruce admits that Danny Welbeck is too good to remain at Sunderland.
Ferguson: Arsenal and Chelsea clashes pivotal – Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson has stated the obvious – the upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea will play a major role in the battle for the Premier League title. Manchester United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on 13 December before travelling to Stamford Bridge on 19 December to do battle with Chelsea. United are currently top-of-the-table with the two London clubs in close pursuit. Any scenario when the club plays two title-contenders in the space of six days will always prove pivotal. Claim all six points and open a healthy gap at the top of the table. Fail to secure any points and face an uphill battle to claim a record 19th Premier League title. That’s just from a statistical standpoint, nevermind the psychological blow United will suffer while giving confidence to our rivals. Winning both games could of course provide the exact opposite. United is more than capable of claiming all six points; it will all depend on which team decides to show up on those days. United have ranged from lacklustre to brilliant this season, but it’s going to require a lot of the latter to come away with maximum points.
Bayern: Schweinsteiger not joining United – Telegraph
With only 18 months remaining on Bastian Schweinsteiger’s contract, there has been speculation linking the German midfielder with a move to Old Trafford. Schweinsteiger’s current club Bayern Munich insist that the 26-year-old will honour the remainder of his current deal. Negotiations between the club and player have reportedly stalled, and it was rumoured the Bundesliga club may choose to cash in rather than lose Schweinsteiger for nothing at the end of next season. The club is now making it clear that this is not the case. United’s last transfer dealing with the German giants was to bring Owen Hargreaves to Old Trafford, a saga which lasted over a year before the midfielder finally completed his move. Fans have called for the dominating presence in midfield which Schweinsteiger would provide, but such a move now seems unlikely.
Bruce: Welbeck is playing too well to stay at Sunderland – Daily Mail
Former United player Steve Bruce – now the manager at Sunderland – recently made public his intentions to seek a permanent deal for on-loan Danny Welbeck. However, now Bruce is admitting that Welbeck is simply too good to secure a permanent deal for. The 20-year-old striker has lit up the Premier League in recent weeks, which Bruce believes has put him out of the price range of all but the biggest clubs. Welbeck’s performances have shown he warrants an opportunity at Old Trafford, and I would expect Sir Alex to include him in his plans for next season. With the way Welbeck has performed recently it would be a shame to see him stay at Sunderland and not get a chance with United.
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i work in germany and all around newspapers radio staions and german el sports tv have all said he has made his mind uo and he wants man united. the last time this happend all over germany mesut ozil there saying he was going madriad so that probaly will happen soon rather thAN letter