Tag Archives: fallout

Raheem Sterling wanted by Manchester City

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EXCLUSIVE: Man City on Sterling standby after winger falls out with Rodgers

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UPDATED:

22:45 GMT, 30 November 2012

Fallout: Sterling and Rodgers

Fallout: Sterling and Rodgers

Manchester City are keeping a close eye on the Raheem Sterling contract negotiations at Liverpool as his advisers become increasingly irritated with manager Brendan Rodgers.

They feel that Rodgers is trying to railroad the winger, who is 18 next Saturday, into signing a new deal following his comment that Sterling would be ‘very foolish’ not to agree fresh terms.

But Sportsmail understands City are monitoring Sterling’s situation closely and could consider launching a bid in January if the stand-off is not resolved by then.

Sterling’s advisers have held two meetings with Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre – the second of which took place at the start of the week – but the player has yet to receive a formal offer, despite the fact he is entering the final 18 months of his current contract.

Rodgers, whose side take on Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, is desperate for his brightest young talent to end the speculation over his future by agreeing fresh terms.

Highly-rated: The winger has been a revelation this season

Highly-rated: The winger has been a revelation this season

But his latest comments look to have had the opposite effect, alerting City to the possibility of landing one of the brightest talents in the Premier League.

Phil Jagielka hits back at Steven Gerrard for comparing Everton to Stoke

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Jagielka hits back at Gerrard: Everton may play long balls but at least we don't just pass short for the sake of it!

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UPDATED:

01:46 GMT, 31 October 2012

Phil Jagielka has hit back at Steven Gerrard’s assertion that Everton are 'just like Stoke' with his own barbed comments about Liverpool’s style of play.

Everton were incensed by Gerrard’s comments following Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, particularly as stats for the game showed they made more passes (448 to 314) and enjoyed more possession (56 per cent to 44 per cent) than Liverpool.

While Jagielka was happy to admit Everton could be direct when they want to be, to utilise the strength and aerial prowess of Marouane Fellaini, he suggested that Liverpool’s methods of always wanting to play on the ground are flawed.

Standing up for his club: Phil Jagielka has hit back at Steven Gerrard

Standing up for his club: Phil Jagielka has hit back at Steven Gerrard

'If Stevie says we are a long ball team then I’m not going to deny the fact that we play long balls,’ said Jagielka. ‘Do we play them for the full 90 minutes No. But we play quite direct.

'Who wouldn’t when you have someone in form like Marouane Fellaini, who can bring the ball down for fun and we start creating things from there Why wouldn’t you do that We don’t believe in passing it around for half an hour for the sake of it.

'If we can put the ball forward and cause them trouble then let’s cause them as much trouble as possible. We won’t change the way we play. We won’t start to look to put in a thousand passes a game.

'If we need to play forward to Felli to create chances, or to Nikica Jelavic or to Victor Anichebe, then guess what That’s what we’ll do.’

Hitting out: Gerrard compared Everton to Stoke

Hitting out: Gerrard compared Everton to Stoke

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, though, is not someone who will change his philosophy and he has added further spice to the fallout by backing up his captain’s claim that Liverpool have to play in a certain, attractive manner.

He did, however, acknowledge that Everton do have a number of skilful players who have made significant contributions this season.

'I believe there were two different styles,’ said Rodgers. ‘This is a club brought up with a certain way of playing. Its history has been defined by the many great managers who have been here. You have to win games but you have to win games by playing in a certain style.

'It’s the beauty of the Premier League – there are so many diverse ways of working and playing. We play a certain way. If you look at Everton and a number of other teams, they are a bit more direct and then play off the front players.

Focal point: But Everton were not guilty of long-balls to Marouane Fellaini

Focal point: But Everton were not guilty of long-balls to Marouane Fellaini

'But they have players with finesse like Leighton Baines and Leon Osman, who are terrific footballers. For us here at Liverpool, there’s a way in which we play and want to win games. the supporters and the history of the club dictates that.’

There is a feeling amongst Evertonians that Gerrard’s comments have shown that David Moyes’ squad have started to get under Liverpool’s skin. Everton are six points ahead of their neighbours and aim to finish above them in the table for the second successive year.

'I suppose it’s a backhanded compliment,’ said Jagielka. ‘Stevie must have thought Liverpool were in a game to come out which such comments. It makes you chuckle, but if Stevie is saying things like that, there must be a reason behind it which must be that we are doing something well.'

Team Sky reiterate zero tolerance drug policy through Dave Brailsford

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Team Sky staff must sign anti-doping declaration as Brailsford reiterates zero tolerance policy

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UPDATED:

22:28 GMT, 17 October 2012

Dave Brailsford re-stated Team Sky’s anti-doping policy as the fallout from the Lance Armstrong scandal continued.

The British team, currently on an end-of-season camp in London, began interviewing its 80 riders and staff, in a bid to rid the team of any individuals who have used drugs in the past.

Honest: Dave Brailsford and Bradley Wiggins

Honest: Dave Brailsford and Bradley Wiggins

'We sat down with everybody this morning and re-stated where we’re at,' said Brailsford. 'We’ve started a process where we’ll meet with every staff member and rider and have an honest and frank discussion.'

Given the scale of cycling’s doping problem, as outlined in graphic detail in last week’s US Anti-Doping Agency’s 1,000-page report into Armstrong, Sky’s zero-tolerance policy presents 'a serious challenge,' admitted Brailsford.

'A lot have said that in the 1990s and early 2000s every rider could have doped,' he continued. 'It’s highly likely, from what we’ve learned recently. But it doesn’t change my belief or my commitment to run a clean team with the same [zero tolerance] policy.

'If someone has a [doping] past, and they’re lying, the likelihood of it coming out is high. The truth is going to come out, and it could be painful for us. If we have to start from square one, so be it.'

Brailsford added that all riders and staff will be required to sign a statement pledging no previous involvement in doping; anybody who refuses to sign it will be sacked.

Team Sky staff facing fresh allegations over doping as Lance Armstrong fallout grows

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Team Sky staff facing fresh allegations over doping as Armstrong fallout grows

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UPDATED:

21:12 GMT, 13 October 2012

Bradley Wiggins' cycling team face
fresh questions about the history of their staff as two more team
members have become embroiled in the fallout from the Lance Armstrong
drugs controversy.

Team Sky are still reeling from the
shock discovery that Michael Barry, a Canadian who has just retired from
the team, signed a sworn affidavit to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
last week, admitting that he doped during his time with Armstrong's US
Postal Team, where he rode between 2002-2006.

Now USADA's dossier of witness
statements and other evidence suggest that Michael Rogers, an Australian
rider still with the team, and a Dutch doctor, Geert Leinders, who
parted company with Team Sky just a few days ago, may have closer links
to the doping allegations than have been publicly acknowledged.

Shock: Michael Barry has been implicated in the doping allegations

Shock: Michael Barry has been implicated in the doping allegations

A prominent insider with intimate knowledge of the doping era has also told The Mail on Sunday that a fourth person from Team Sky – a current senior employee – has opted to 'live a lie' in regards to his doping past.

Rogers is mentioned in a sworn affidavit given to USADA by American cyclist Levi Leipheimer as somebody who attended two training camps in 2005 in Tenerife run by Dr Michele Ferrari, an Italian notorious for assisting the doping regimes of Armstrong and dozens of others.

Leipheimer has admitted using banned drugs, while every other rider named at those specific Tenerife camps, aside from Rogers, has subsequently been tainted with doping allegations and/or bans.

Tainted: Levi Leipheimer has admitted using banned drugs

Tainted: Levi Leipheimer has admitted using banned drugs

Rogers said in 2006 that he rated
Ferrari as 'the best coach in the world' but insisted he himself had
'nothing to hide' about drug use.

Later, he said: 'It was an error to go to him.

'He didn't have the best name in the industry, but that was the mistake I made. I regret [it]. I can understand it tainted my reputation; but it's an error I made. I have to accept that.'

Rogers welcomed USADA's extensive new findings, saying: 'No one likes to hear that news but it's necessary to get these things out on the table for cycling to move forward.'

Then and now: Lance Armstrong leading Bradley Wiggins in the 2009 Tour de France

Then and now: Lance Armstrong leading Bradley Wiggins in the 2009 Tour de France

The Mail on Sunday asked Rogers, via Team Sky, whether he has used performance-enhancing drugs but he had not responded. Leinders was a doctor at the Rabobank team in the Netherlands in the early 2000s.

Leipheimer has testified that a Rabobank doctor, whose name is redacted in the USADA files, sold him EPO in that period, over three years from 2002-2004.

It is not known whether that name is Leinders but the evidence shows at the least he worked within a doping regime. Richard Plugge, of Rabobank, said: 'We don't know if it was Geert Leinders because we had four doctors then. None of them are still with us.'

English rugby clubs hold showdown talks to demand rethink on European competition pay chasm

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English clubs hold showdown talks to demand rethink on European competition pay chasm

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 17 September 2012

England's leading clubs will go into showdown talks in Dublin on Tuesday demanding a fairer deal from the European competition cash.

Sportsmail can reveal that a gap of 1.75million between the Heineken Cup money handed to English clubs compared to the four Irish regions is the reason behind their determination to change the landscape of European rugby.

Representatives of Premiership Rugby will meet the other European stakeholders for a meeting that is supposed to be an attempt to find a peace formula but could just as easily increase the fallout between England and clubs from France, Italy, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Not a level playing field: clubs such as European champions Leinster are quids in

Not a level playing field: clubs such as European champions Leinster are quids in

It follows the announcement last week of a new 152m TV rights deal with BT Vision for Premiership rugby that also included a new European competition – an agreement which was subsequently ruled to be contrary to RFU rules.

But the Premiership representatives believe they have a strong moral case to force through change and that when others see the figures they will fall in line.

The sums expose the sheer scale of the financial inequality that has driven the organisation representing the English elite to make such an aggressive move.

Under the current European Rugby Cup accord governing tournaments, it is understood that the 12 Premiership clubs each receive an annual payment of less than 650,000, incorporating sponsorship and TV rights money.

In comparison, it is thought that the four Irish provincial sides are given a handout of close to 2.4million.

The equation is similarly imbalanced in favour of Wales and Scotland. They and the Irish teams enjoy the luxury of all-but-certain qualification for the high-profile Heineken Cup, rather than the secondary Amlin Challenge Cup.

Inequality: It is understood that the four Irish provincial sides receive far more than their English counterparts

Inequality: It is understood that the four Irish provincial sides receive far more than their English counterparts

In turn, the relatively low intensity of the Pro12 league has allowed the Irish provinces, in particular, to prioritise their European campaigns.

That has been a significant factor in the dominance of Europe's blue-riband event by Munster and Leinster, who have claimed five titles between them in the past seven years.

Their sustained success brings even greater reward as each side contesting a knockout fixture earns an extra 290,000 to contribute to the national 'pot'.

What infuriates the English and French is that they are the economic powerhouses of the continental game, with far greater financial and broadcasting clout than their Celtic rivals, yet they receive far less per team from ERC in return.

Showdown: The talks have been scheduled in the wake of the announced TV deal with BT Vision

Showdown: The talks have been scheduled in the wake of the announced TV deal with BT Vision

There are unlikely to be any resolutions on Tuesday, with the rival factions so entrenched.

While PRL hope they can secure eventual support for their concept of three tiers of European competition, with a 20-team Heineken Cup featuring the holders, the Challenge Cup champions and the top six sides from each of the Premiership, the Pro12 and the Top 14, the stance of the French is critical.

ERC are adamant that the Gallic clubs will preserve the status quo in return for an earlier final in April of each year, but PRL also believe they have the backing of the French.

One leading official even claimed that officials from Ligue Nationale de Rugby have 'signed' an agreement to stage an Anglo-French event as a final option.

However, that notion of an entente cordiale was being questioned in other quarters on Monday.

Rugby World Cup organisers have marked the three-year countdown to the home tournament by predicting record ticket sales and a profit in excess of 100m.

But Andy Cosslett, the chairman of England Rugby 2015, acknowledged the need to generate fresh interest in the north as a crucial factor in the success or failure of the overall plans.

'Taking rugby union outside the traditional strongholds is a priority for us,' he said.

Paul Di Resta under new management

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Di Resta strikes new management deal but Hamilton court date still lies ahead

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UPDATED:

16:56 GMT, 8 September 2012

Paul Di Resta has finally ended his two-month search for a new manager by signing up to the team that look after Jenson Button.

Di Resta split with Anthony Hamilton as his manager just prior to the British Grand Prix in early July, the fallout from which will see them in the High Court later this year.

Hamilton is pursuing a case for wrongful termination of contract and loss of earnings, but with Di Resta alleging he was misled over a sponsorship deal with an energy drink company, Go Fast.

New backing: Paul Di Resta has ended his search

New backing: Paul Di Resta has ended his search

Since then Force India driver Di Resta has been advised by the Sports Partnership, run by Richard Goddard who has long had Button on his books.

The move means Di Resta can again focus on Formula One, leaving Goddard to pursue a deal for the 26-year-old Scot for next year given he has been linked with other teams.

Di Resta said: 'It's no secret I have been looking for new representation and I am delighted to have found this with The Sports Partnership.

'They've been assisting me in a purely advisory capacity whilst I've been making my decision.

'Based on how that's gone and having seen what they've achieved with other clients, in and out of the sport of F1, it became clear it was the right way to go.

'Having the right team behind me will allow me to focus on what's important, which is to continue to develop as a driver, further my career in F1 and ultimately fight it out for race wins and a world championship.'

Battle: Anthony Hamilton (right) will see Di Resta in court

Battle: Anthony Hamilton (right) will see Di Resta in court

From his perspective, Goddard said: 'Paul is unquestionably a serious talent and a star of the future.

'We've been helping him through the last couple of months and we're delighted we will be continuing to work together moving forward.

'We will ensure Paul is able to simply concentrate on the job at hand and enable him to realise his full potential.'

The announcement comes on the day Di Resta conjured his best qualifying performance in F1, claiming fourth ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

However, any celebration had to be tempered by the fact he will start ninth, serving a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change ahead of final practice.

Sweet time: Di Resta impressed on the track in qualifying

Sweet time: Di Resta impressed on the track in qualifying

'It's bitter sweet,' said Di Resta, whose result was no fluke as he ran in the top four in all three qualifying sessions.

'You have to give the guys (at the factory) credit. We obviously had a good simulator session and a good baseline to come here.

'We had a good philosophy, and each time we went on track we slowly dialled it in, showing the speed was there throughout the whole day.

'Unfortunately I start ninth, but if there was any day you need a result like that to influence your race and put you in a points position, then it was today.

'We're still in the top 10, we're starting in the points, so we really just need to look ahead.'

London 2012 Olympics: Fear factor hanging over USA

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Fear factor hangs heavy over superstars and stripes as USA head for London

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UPDATED:

07:47 GMT, 12 July 2012

How could an undefeated, gold medal-winning USA basketball team, ranked No 1 in the world suffer nerves

One which boasts an all-time record heading into the London Games which defies belief: played 127, won 122, lost five.

Of the 16 Olympics they have competed in the US representatives have taken home gold on 13 occasions.

Smile boys, you're not bad players: The USA team in Las Vegas ahead of the Olympic Games

Smile boys, you're not bad players: The USA team in Las Vegas ahead of the Olympic Games

An enviable record, but one which puts a mountain of pressure on the 12 players chosen to represent the Stars and Stripes in the coming weeks.To understand the pressures, you need only look at America's record at Olympic Games.

Far from being a procession of walk-overs (although there have been many) the Americans have been victims of some rough justice and endured disappointing failures through the years.

What lingers around any American team is the fear they could return home without gold. For all the victories, for all the glory, the spectre of defeat hangs heavy.

They won 63 consecutive Olympic matches between 1936 and the hugely controversial last-gasp 51-50 loss to the Soviet Union in 1972.

There followed another 21-match unbeaten run between the 1976 Olympics and the semi-finals of the 1988 Games in Seoul where the USA were vanquished by the Soviet Union 82-76 in a semi-final clash. The wars between the two nations were never cold on the court.

Been there done that: LeBron James is heading to his third Olympics with the United States

Been there done that: LeBron James is heading to his third Olympics with the United States

And then there was Athens in 2004. An opening-game defeat to Puerto Rico was followed in the fourth with a reversal to Lithuania and a further loss to Argentina saw them return with bronze.

The fallout from the third-place finish brought such a huge burden on the team which travelled to Beijing they were called the 'Redeem Team.'

There were two simple orders for the picks who travelled to China: save face and come back with the gold medal.

But US basketball team chairman Jerry Colangelo is confident his current team can brush any worries to one side.

Colangelo is with the players in Las Vegas as they run through their final preparations.

He said: 'There's no burden. The last time, in 2008, people deemed us the Redeem Team because of what happened in 2004. But we didn't put that moniker on ourselves, someone else did.

'The way we look at it now, in 2008 we were climbing the hill. Now we're on top of the hill, we have to defend the hill. I'd rather be on top of the hill defending it, than climbing it.'

Defending the hill: Jerry Colangelo gets his message across to reporters in Las Vegas

Defending the hill: Jerry Colangelo gets his message across to reporters in Las Vegas

USA OLYMPIC RECORD

2008 Gold (8-0)
2004 Bronze (5-3)
2000 Gold (8-0)
1996 Gold (8-0)
1992 Gold (8-0)
1988 Bronze (7-1)
1984 Gold (8-0)
1980 DNC
1976 Gold (7-0)
1972 Silver (8-1)
1968 Gold (9-0)
1964 Gold (9-0)
1960 Gold (8-0)
1956 Gold (8-0)
1952 Gold (8-0)
1948 Gold (8-0)
1936 Gold (5-0)

The squad arrives in Manchester on July 17 for training, and a game against Team GB on July 19 before heading to Barcelona to face Spain and Argentina ahead of their first official Olympics match against France on July 29.

Several key players are absent due to injury – Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, and Dwyane Wade to name a few – but the 2012 roster's core is older and wiser than the 2008 group.

LeBron James is a 27-year-old title-winner playing at the very pinnacle of his career; four years ago, he was still ascending. Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony all enter the 2012 Olympics in their prime years.

And gold is all this team of super athletes want from London. Anything but gold is failure. It's quite the burden.

What of James' gold medal Where does he keep it

'It's hung up in my office with the rest of my individual and team accolades,' he said.

And what about the bronze medal he won in 2004

'No. That's not an achievement.' That's how important this is for the Americans. Failure is not an option. Not for themselves, not for another blot on the record books.

Great Britain men and women play the USA at the Manchester Arena on July 18 and 19. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 847 8000.

Spurs face tough decision replacing Harry Redknapp – Neil Ashton

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Numbers stacked up against Levy in gamble to elevate Spurs to the next level

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UPDATED:

22:30 GMT, 19 June 2012

As the fallout continues from Harry Redknapp’s departure at Tottenham, there is one statistic that continues to haunt Daniel Levy.

Top teams have managers with a win ratio in excess of 50 per cent and Tottenham have always fallen short under Levy’s chairmanship.

He has been at Tottenham for 11 years and his managers have yet to cross the mythical 50 per cent margin that will turn the team into serious players in the Barclays Premier League.

Cultivating the future: Daniel Levy (right) dismissed Harry Redknapp

Cultivating the future: Daniel Levy (right) dismissed Harry Redknapp

More from Neil Ashton…

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Ash Wednesday: How Abramovich is laying the foundations before rolling out the red carpet for Guardiola
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Neil Ashton: Chelsea's Champions League win shows cash is king
22/05/12

Ash Wednesday: Joe will be at the Hart of England's future and should be Hodgson's captain
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Ash Wednesday: McClaren's bold vision of a bright future, born in Middlesbrough, casts a dark shadow over Hodgson's task
08/05/12

Ash Wednesday: Let's be Frank… Chelsea's golden oldie deserves better than this
01/05/12

Ash Wednesday: With Man City trending, fans must not forget their less fashionable history
24/04/12

VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

Glenn Hoddle, appointed by Levy ahead of their 2001 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, left two years later with a 39.42pc win record.

Jacques Santini (38.46pc), Martin Jol (45.27pc) and Juande Ramos (38.89pc), the last man to win a trophy at Tottenham, all fell short of the minimum target.

So was Redknapp (49.49pc), just a fraction short when he was fired last week after four challenging years at Tottenham.

He went the same way as Kenny Dalglish, fired by Fenway Sports Group for his 47.3pc record in his second spell at Anfield as manager.

Redknapp had far more impact at White Hart Lane, totally responsible for transforming the playing style and turning them into one of the Premier League’s most adventurous attacking units.

He rehabilitated the team, always a threat to the established order in the top four after his appointment in October 2008.

Irrespective of Redknapp’s influence, Tottenham have been unable to compete with some of the Premier League’s most successful managers.

Up the road at Arsenal, who have won two Barclays Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League final during Levy’s 11 years, Arsene Wenger boasts a 57.05pc win ratio.

Down and out: Luka Modric may decide his future is beyond Spurs

Down and out: Luka Modric may decide his future is beyond Spurs

At Manchester United, who have won six Premier League titles, an FA cup and two European Cups since 2001, Sir Ferguson’s record is 59.41pc.

Roberto Mancini, who managed Manchester City to the league title last season, raises them with 60.28pc.

Reach for the stars and he will discover that the trophy hunter Jose Mourinho won a staggering 70.81pc of his matches during his time Chelsea.

The win ratio is the be all and end all for the men at the top, a barometer for teams with designs on breaking into the top four.

Levy’s next manager will be working to those demands, brought in to improve on Redknapp’s highly-respectable record at White Hart Lane.

Andre Villas-Boas, David Moyes, Joachim Low and Laurent Blanc are all under consideration, but Levy will not be rushed into making another appointment.

The next manager will be under no illusions, inheriting an exciting group of players that Redknapp believed could ultimately challenge for the Premier League title.

To his credit, Levy is being thorough and taking his time before appointing a manager who will be under considerable pressure to perform.

Despite the hostile reaction to Redknapp’s departure, Levy is a good man with the club’s best interests at heart.

Aside from the chairman’s report in the club’s annual accounts, he is always likely to come off second best in the PR stakes he rarely speaks to the media.

Contender: Andre Villas-Boas is one name being considered at the Lane

Contender: Andre Villas-Boas is one name being considered at the Lane

After Redknapp’s departure, he has been working diligently behind the scenes to create a vision that will secure Spurs’ future as a top Premier League club.

He has reminded key members of staff that Tottenham cannot compete with the transfer budget and salary structure of teams in the Champions League.

That much has been re-iterated, but Levy is still demanding the best recruitment programme for young players in the Premier League.

He is convinced that the system will promote players good enough for the first team, schooled in the Spurs way and talented enough to play for a top four team.

That is part of Levy’s solution to the salary gap, a way of balancing the books for the long-term benefit of the club.

It did not prevent them offering Luka Modric 100,000 a week – the highest wage in Tottenham’s history – to sign a new contract last summer.

The Croatia midfielder refused, preferring to wait until this summer before piling the pressure on Spurs to sell him to a Champions League team.

Without top level European football there are restrictions, a natural knock-on effect after missing out for a second successive season.

There is a running joke among Spurs scouts that they may as well leave the car running if they spot someone from United, City, Arsenal or Chelsea in the stands.

Tottenham are hardly running on empty, particularly with a turnover of 163m in their Champions League season, but missing out on another crack at the competition because of Chelsea’s success will hit them hard.

There are financial provisions in place this summer, but Levy’s immediate objective is to make a top-class appoint. For that, he will have to give the new man 100 per cent backing.

Laurent Blanc could be next Manchester United manager

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Les Bleus boss could go red with Blanc a possible successor to Ferguson at Man United

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UPDATED:

10:14 GMT, 10 June 2012

Laurent Blanc could be the man to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford with the Manchester United boss only expected to stay in charge for a couple more seasons at most.

When the 70-year-old retires France manager Blanc, who finished his career at the club, could be next in line, according to a report in The People.

Successor: Laurent Blanc could replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford

Successor: Laurent Blanc could replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford

Blanc has an impressive record with the
French national side – he has led them on a 21-match unbeaten run as
they move into Euro 2012.

He took them over whilst they were in total disarray following the fallout from their awful World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

If he takes the reins from Ferguson, he can expect the club to be in much better shape than the state he found France in.

How long left Sir Alex Ferguson is not expected to stay too much longer

How long left Sir Alex Ferguson is not expected to stay too much longer

Blanc spent two years under Ferguson and might make the Scot smile if he can beat England on Monday night.

Jose Mourinho is another candidate for the position when it becomes available, along with United veteran Ryan Giggs.

Luis Suarez handshake row: seven key players

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Seven key men: The main protagonists in a dramatic day at Old Trafford

As the action unfolded at Old Trafford on Saturday, Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman kept an eye on all those involved in the fallout from Luis Suarez's refusal to shake Patrice Evra's hand…

Luis Suarez

Must have spent the last three months with his head under a rock. His failure to shake Evra’s hand was bad enough but his performance on the field was not much better.

Lashed a ball at spectators just before the interval, too. Time to learn some manners.

Bad day at the office: Luis Suarez

Bad day at the office: Luis Suarez

Patrice Evra

Looked set to offer a wary handshake to Suarez before the game and deserves praise for that.

Could have been sent off for a late lunge on his rival – had it connected – in the first half and may regret his whooping celebration at full-time.

On the whole, he emerged with credit. Just.

Phil Dowd

Probably the best performer on the pitch. Managed to keep a lid on everything with common sense and good communication.

Showed only two cards all day and managed to defuse a ticking bomb by dragging Evra away from trouble at full-time. Excellent.

Top performance: Phil Dowd calmed Patrice Evra down

Top performance: Phil Dowd calmed Patrice Evra down

Kenny Dalglish

Still doesn’t seem to understand that he is not helping. Needs to realise that stamping his feet when asked reasonable, decent questions will not sidetrack experienced interviewers.

On the field, his team looked limited until he made some decent second-half substitutions.

Geoff Shreeves

The Sky man has been doing his job long enough not to be intimidated by Dalglish’s hectoring.

His persistence under pressure when questioning the Liverpool manager ensured a dramatic day was afforded one final twist.

Petulant: Dalglish didn't take kindly to Shreeves' questions

Petulant: Dalglish didn't take kindly to Shreeves' questions

Rio Ferdinand

Had told associates beforehand that he would shake Suarez’s hand but changed his mind on seeing what happened between the Liverpool player and Evra. Within his rights to do that.

Good tackle to deny Suarez a run on goal with the score at 0-0.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Within his rights to call Suarez a ‘disgrace’ but perhaps went too far when he suggested the Uruguayan should be kicked out of Anfield. Admitted that Evra’s post-match celebration was excessive, which it was.

In football terms, his team were unspectacular but were nevertheless deserved winners.