Manchester United and Chelsea are the latest clubs to be strongly linked to the highly talented CSKA Moscow teenager Alan Dzagoev who has been dubbed the ‘New Andrey Arshavin’. If he were to move to Old Trafford he would join a growing number of his compatriots who have moved to the Premier League alongside Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin, Chelsea’s Yuri Zhirkov, Everton’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko.

The 19-year-old is already a full international and is widely regarded as the future of Russian football. Dzagoev was born in Beslan and began his youth career with the club he supported Vladikavkaz before moving to Krylia Sovetov in the Russian 2nd division. Despite being just 16-years old he scored 6 goals in 37 appearances for the club before CSKA made their move. The youngster has been tracked by a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Arsenal but it’s the current top two in the table that are expected to start the bidding this January.

Dzagoev was slowly blooded into the CSKA first team starting numerous cup matches and played an integral role in a cup win in his first season scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final and final. He has since become a mainstay of the side making 20 league appearances in 2008 (18 starts) and scoring an impressive 8 times. The teenager showed that despite his slight frame that he is not scared to mix it with opposition defenders having been booked 6 times and red carded once in that season. Dzagoev also picked up an award as the Best Young Player in the Russian Premier League. He played the majority of these games either in the centre of midfield or as a 2nd striker behind main man Vagner Love where he has struck up a particularly impressive partnership.

Throughout 2009 Dzagoev has continued his impressive form with 7 goals in 27 league games (26 starts) which has alerted a number of clubs around Europe to his quality. He also featured heavily in CSKA’s Uefa Cup campaign which included success over Aston Villa before being beaten by eventual winners Shakhtar Donetsk.Guus Hiddink awarded the exciting teenager with his first international appearance in October 2008 as a substitute in a World Cup qualifying defeat against Germany. His debut at 18-years-old and 116 days made Dzagoev the youngest ever outfield player to play for Russia. The youngest overall was his CSKA team-mate Igor Akinfeev. He has since made a further four appearances for his country (3 as substitute). Both Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to watch the creative teenager’s first stats for his country in the 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Azerbaijan back in August.

The teenage star shuns the limelight and is renowned for his modest character and work ethic. This is summed up by a quote he made in 2008 when he said, “I try to give interviews rarely - it’s better to play than to talk about it. Of course, we play for the fans and they want to know about us as much as possible. But I have yet to win something to give interviews left and right. It’s too early for me to do that.” This sort of attitude would definitely appeal to Sir Alex Ferguson who likes his players to be in the Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs mould of flamboyance off the pitch.

The CSKA star’s heroes as a youngster were both current team-mate Evgeni Aldonin and Chelsea star Frank Lampard with whom he join as Guus Hiddink was widely reported to have advised Roman Abramovich to sign him. The possibility of a future move is boosted by the fact Dzagoev has stated his favourite team outside of Russia is Chelsea. New Chelsea signing and former CSKA team-mate Yuri Zhirkov has also praised the teen. He said, “He’s just a super player.”

Dzagoev’s former academy coach Igor Rodkin has also praised the youngster. He said, Dzagoev plays football not for fame and money, but because football is his life.”

“It is rare today that a victory is more important for a player than the prize money for it, but with Alan, that is exactly the case.”

One of the former stars of Russian football and Spain’s La Liga Alexander Mostovoi has also praised Dzagoev. He declared, “Alan stands apart from other players because of his non-standard actions. He is not afraid to get on the ball, to dribble, to take responsibility. I always like players like that.” Sir Alex is in desperate need of a player with the ability to provide something a bit different to his attacking options. Gabriel Obertan is being groomed for that role but has failed to show he is ready to be a first team star on a regular basis. Like Arshavin, Dzagoev is excellent on the ball both in terms of dribbling and passing so would give United new options. He would also be a good signing for the league leaders Chelsea as Carlo Ancelotti is aware that he needs to add some youth to the side.

The CSKA star has a great engine, excellent technique and passing range plus good pace. Despite being 5 ft 10 he is not very strong in the air but his other attributes more than make up for this. A youngster of Dzagoev’s quality would offer versatility as he can play as a central midfield playmaker or as a second striker. None of the current United stars apart from perhaps Darren Fletcher have done enough to suggest they are automatic first team starters this season with Michael Carrick, Anderson, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs not playing at their best.

Sir Alex also got the opportunity to see Dzagoev first-hand in CSKA’s Champions League clashes with United in October and November. The Russian teen played in both games including netting in the 3-3 draw at Old Trafford which increased the reigning English champions interest further.

Whether Alan Dzagoev moves this January will be down to the seriousness of both club’s bids but whether he moves or not you are sure to hear a lot more from the Teenage ‘new Arshavin’.


source:The new football pools

Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United still have a licence to spend big cash, despite the club's massive debts.

It is little secret that United's finances are not in great shape, though no-one at the club or the Glazer family have commented on claims they are seeking to refinance £175million worth of payment-in-kind notes that are currently attracting 14.25% interest by launching a bond issue totalling £600million.

The Old Trafford club received £80million in the summer from Real Madrid for star player Cristiano Ronaldo, but have only spent a quarter of it.

Ferguson told the Daily Express: “We have got the money. There is no question about that.

“I just don’t see that player who can make a difference for us in terms of value or ability.”

The Scot said new arrival Mame Biram Diouf may be the only new face United fans see in the January transfer window.

“That is still the case. I could never see any real diamonds. Now and again you get one.

“We struck lucky with Vidic and Evra. They turned out terrific players but it took them time to adjust.

“We bought Louis Saha during the window. He was a marvellous player but he got a lot of injuries. We also bought Andy Cole.

“These have been success stories for us.

“But you can’t guarantee that in January.

“And when you are looking for players to play in Europe you are limited still further because of other teams’ involvement in Europe. You can never be certain.”

Source: Goal.com

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is not suffering from a spending squeeze because of Manchester United's massive debts.
Sunday's shock FA Cup defeat by Leeds has been accompanied by a succession of stories questioning the state of United's finances.
Neither the club, nor the Glazer family, have expressed any opinion on claims they are seeking to refinance £175million worth of payment-in-kind notes that are currently attracting 14.25% interest by launching a bond issue totalling £600million.
The mere suggestion is being taken as a sign that the Glazers are in trouble, which accounts for the fact Ferguson has so far spent just £20million of the world record £80million fee received from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.But the Scot, who spoke out on the Glazers' behalf last month, is sticking to his stance that the reason the cash has not been spent is because he alone does not believe there is any value in the market.
'We have got the money. There is no question about that,' he said. 'I just don't see that player who can make a difference for us in terms of value or ability.'
Ferguson has bought big during the January transfer window in the past.
Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Louis Saha and Andy Cole all arrived for big money at the turn of the year.The cases of Vidic and Evra are particularly interesting. Both joined United with decent reputations but struggled badly during their early months at Old Trafford.
It was not until the following campaign that they began to show the talent that has seen them collect a hat-trick of Premier League titles and recognised as two of the best defenders in Europe.
Yet those deals are rare in the experience of Ferguson, who has already declared an opinion that new arrivals will be limited to Senegal striker Mame Biram Diouf, who was actually signed from Molde in the summer.
And nothing that has happened recently has changed that view.
'That is still the case,' he said. 'I could never see any real diamonds. Now and again you get one.
'We struck lucky with Vidic and Evra. They turned out terrific players but it took them time to adjust.
'We bought Louis Saha during the window. He was a marvellous player but he got a lot of injuries. We also bought Andy Cole.
'These have been success stories for us. But you can't guarantee that in January.
'And when you are looking for players to play in Europe you are limited still further because of other teams' involvement in Europe. You can never be certain.

Source:my favourite manutd news centre MANUTDNEWSNOW

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has today emerged as a shock transfer target for Premier League Champions Manchester United.
The England international is widely expected to leave Fratton Park this month due to current financial trouble Portsmouth find themselves in. Pompey cheif executive Peter Storrie admitted today the club may have to sell players, however they will only let their key men go if the price is right.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate to add to his squad during this month’s window and he goes in search of his 5th Premier League title on the trot, and bringing a goalkeeper to Old Trafford is understood to be one of his main priorities.
Current United number 1 Edwin Van Der Sar has struggled with injury this season, whilst Ben Foster has failed to live up to expectations when given his chance. Despite the fact he is now 39, James is still considered by many, one of the best keepers in the league and in my view, United could do a lot worse than the former Manchester City and Liverpool keeper.
He won’t cost too much, probably near the £2 million mark and no matter what you say about him, he is a good keeper. James is now as short as 9/4 to make the move to Old Trafford in the coming weeks and to be honest, I wouldn’t bet against it.

Source:Manutdnewsnow


to me he is letting in to many goals but then agen pompeys defence is a mess.
would be nice to have englands number one all the same

One-time Manchester United target Douglas Costa has sprung a major surprise by signing for Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.
Last season's UEFA Cup winners have made a habit of recruiting high-profile Brazilians, with Elano joining Manchester City in big-money deals having first played for the club.
However, Costa's transfer from Gremio is a shock and puts on hold any thought Sir Alex Ferguson might have had of resurrecting a deal to bring the 19-year-old to Old Trafford.
At one stage last summer it appeared Ferguson would definitely sign Costa, only for the deal to go cold, amid concerns about the player's attitude.
United did invite the Brazilian Under-20 international to spend a short trial period with them. But Costa refused, preferring instead to remain with Gremio.
However, now he has agreed to make the big move from South America, as so many have done in the past, but join a relatively minor European league compared to Spain, Italy or England.
'I was not expecting it,' he said. 'I only thought of Gremio.
'Today I think about Donetsk and I'm extremely happy.
'That's two times they tried to sign me. I do not know if this is the right time to leave but I mostly thought about my family

source:manutd people