Federico Macheda on standby

Quote:The Italian burst onto the scene last year with an injury-time winner against Aston Villa on his debut to hand the Reds victory after back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Fulham had threatened to derail United's title charge. Six days later he netted the winner at Sunderland to complete a fairytale week.

This season the Italy U21 international has been dogged by injuries, featuring just six times in the first team. Sir Alex said before Rooney's twisted ankle in Munich on Tuesday that Macheda should get further chances before the season is out. If Rooney is indeed sidelined then Macheda could well be fast-tracked into the first-team fold.

"Young Macheda’s had a terrible season with injuries," Sir Alex said in Munich. "But he made a return against Bolton last Saturday and we were absolutely delighted. He's one of the most exceptional young strikers I’ve seen in my time at United. He has every chance of taking part in big matches. His ability around the box for a young player is outstanding."

Gutted that wazza is out for next few weeks I guess its what we all feared. Danny Fullbrook in D.Star says its a blessing in disguise for England fans (is he a cockney t**t ?) as much as I want rooney in the england side to make the world cup more watchable I would give anything to have him back for the seasons run in including giving up england. Stuff england UNITED come 1st england is just a side show. I think alot of reds think we are screwed without him maybe we are but hopefully we will show we are not a one man team and the likes of berba, nani, carrick raise their game to another level if the rest of the team play well and these three play really well we could still win the prem. GET WELL SOON WAYNE...........

Rooney facing four weeks out
United and England striker suffers sprained ankle

Wayne Rooney is facing between two and four weeks on the sidelines with a sprained ankle, Sky Sports News understands.

The Manchester United and England talisman had the nation holding their breath as he crumpled in a heap on the turf at the Allianz Arena in the closing seconds of the 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.
Rooney, who had bagged his 34th goal of an astonishing season with just 64 seconds on the clock in the quarter-final first leg meeting, had to be helped from the field and later left the stadium on crutches.

Replays of the incident showed he had turned his right ankle when he landed awkwardly, causing immediate concern for Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson and England counterpart Fabio Capello.

The fears of the national team appear to be have been alleviated by the initial prognosis, but the Red Devils will be without their attacking ace for a significant spell during the title run-in.

Ferguson's men, who head the Premier League by one point from Chelsea, play host to their title rivals at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime in what could well prove to be a pivotal moment in the season.

The return leg of their European showdown with Bayern follows next Wednesday when United know they must score if they are to progress to the semi-finals of the competition.

Rooney can expect to miss the trip to Blackburn on 11th April and may also struggle to be involved in the Manchester derby with City at Eastlands the following weekend and the home meeting with Spurs on 24th April.

That would leave the 24-year-old with just the Premier League encounters against Sunderland and Stoke to regain match sharpness in domestic action before attention turns to England's World Cup bid in South Africa.

source: skysports.com

Atletico starlet snubbed Wigan
Young keeper dreaming of Red Devils switch

Atletico Madrid starlet David De Gea has confirmed he turned down the chance to join Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic last summer.

The teenage keeper had been all set to link up with the Latics before deciding he wanted to remain in La Liga for at least another season.

De Gea reportedly rejected Wigan as his long-term ambition remains replacing Edwin van der Sar as Manchester United's number one.

Interest

While the 19-year-old has confirmed his interest in playing in the Premier League, he is in no rush to make the move to English football.

"I was about to go to Wigan but wanted to stay at Atletico and take my opportunity another time," confirmed the Spaniard.

"The Premier League would be enjoyable and is an option I would like a bit later in life.

"Now is not the time to move. For me, Van der Sar has been one of the best in the world."

source: skysports.com

It is well established that the Premier League is the world's richest football division and that its players are, collectively, the best-paid on the planet.


But it might surprise some people to learn that compared to the richest divisions in other globally popular sports – basketball, baseball, cricket, American football and ice hockey – England's finest come some way down the pecking order.

Manchester United's comparable figures are £55,818 per week, or £2.9 million a year, while just outside the top 30 are Arsenal, at No 31 (with average pay of £50,289 per week; £2.6 million year) and Liverpool at No 33 (£48,662 per week, £2.5 million year).

Aside from Real, Barca, Chelsea and United, the top 30 is dominated by basketball franchises and baseball clubs in the United States. It does, however, include three teams from cricket's Indian Premier League, the upstart competition in world sport.