Girondins de Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc is reportedly head of the queue to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United .

If health permits, the 67-year-old is expected to continue holding the Red Devils' reins until the end of next season

According to The Sunday Mirror, the rise of Bordeaux in the Ligue 1 is said to have placed him in pole position for the coveted spot on the Old Trafford bench, ahead of Inter coach Jose Mourinho and Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz.

Ferguson himself is believed to be an admirer of Blanc since his playing days, when he ended a glittering career with a two-year stint at United.
Blanc was brought in to replace the departing Jaap Stam.

career as a manager

On June 8, 2007, Blanc was named the new manager of FC Girondins de Bordeaux, replacing Brazilian Ricardo.

For his first season on the bench, he led Bordeaux to a very good second place in the league and won the Manager of the Year award.

His second season was extremely successful, as Bordeaux won the final eleven games of the season, setting a new French record for consecutive wins, and clinched the 2008–09 Ligue 1 championship title, three points clear of Marseille, having already won the Coupe de la Ligue that year.

Blanc was again nominated for Manager of the Year but lost to Marseille's Eric Gerets.

Read this on sky sports website this morning

Quote:Wayne Rooney expects to negotiate a new deal with Manchester United at some point over the next few months.

Rooney achievements over the past few seasons have not gone unnoticed, with the striker now regarded as one of the finest players in his position on the planet.

Rumors have suggested Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid could both be interested in lodging bids for Rooney's services but he has laughed off the speculation.

The 24-year-old, currently preparing for England's friendly against Brazil on Saturday, maintains that he is still loving life at Old Trafford and has no intention of leaving.

"It is nice to be noticed but I have said before, I am really happy at United," he said. "Unless they tell me otherwise, I can't see myself leaving.

"I have got two years left on my contract after this year and I am sure we will be negotiating a new deal in the next few months.

"I love the place. It is 30 minutes from home and all my family, and I have got a great chance of winning trophies."

Just say this on Sky sports.com

Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a touchline ban by the Football Association after admitting a charge of improper conduct.

The Manchester United manager has been hit with a four-match match ban, two of which are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, following a Regulatory Commission hearing on Thursday.

The suspended sanction will be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge over the next 18 months on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.

He has also been fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct following comments he made about referee Alan Wiley.

Ferguson described the official as 'unfit' following United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland last month, although he later apologised for his remarks.

Commission Chairman Peter Griffiths QC said "Each member of the Commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and stature within the game.

"Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities.

"The Commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate.

"He should never have said what he did say."

Source: sky sports

Spurs goalkeeper carlo cudicini has been injured in a motorbike crash and police have described his injuries as life changing.

His BMW motorbike was collided wiith a for fiesta in london this morning. It is believed that he may have a broken pelvis.

A spokesman for tottenham has confirmed that cudicini was in the crash and the club doctor is at the hospital with him awaiting scan results.

source: skysports.com

I saw this on SSN this morning. It seems there is still life and passion in the old boy in charge of United. And it's not just the young or cocky players that feel his wrath at times!!!

Manchester United winger Nani has revealed just how tough life can be under Sir Alex Ferguson.

In an in-depth interview with Portuguese newspaper 'I' - the United flyer reveals how quickly Ferguson can turn.

But he admits that Ferguson does not just pick on certain players and that United legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville are often on the end of his tirades.

"Ferguson is a very complicated man," he stated.

"He's tough. If things are all right, then they are all right. But when he thinks something is wrong, everything is screwed.

"He can go from complimenting you to just plain trashing you in a matter of minutes. Has it happened to me? Hell, yes! He'll say 'Nani, how could you miss this or this'?"

"He shouts at players in front of everyone. No one escapes, everybody is the same. Giggs and Neville suffer most, because they have more experience. It is 'F**k' here and 'F**k' there."

Mismanaged

And in what could rile Ferguson more than anything, Nani agreed with the interviewer that he was being a little 'mismanaged' by United.

"I think so, but there is still a long way in the championship remaining, but I did not play the important matches, against Liverpool, Manchester City or Tottenham," he said.

"Not playing these games, I am a bit sad - but I also played with an injury so let's see if things improve.

"People expect more from me and it's not easy. But they are also not doing what they said they were going to.

"I know it would be better if I scored more goals.

"I can have a spectacular game but nobody guarantees me I will be starting the next match. It shatters your confidence."

Despite some negative comments, Nani insisted he was not looking to leave Old Trafford.

"No, no," he said. "I don't even think about that."

Source: SkySports.com

Maybe, as well, with the revelation that he's been playing with an injury, we might see an improvement now he's fit again? I was impressed that he was not a happy bunny being dropped for a couple of games. Fight for your place!