Dan

Gabriel Heinze has confirmed he is still looking to quit Manchester United. The Argentine met with manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Monday after he returned for pre-season training with the Premier League champions. Heinze is wanted by rivals Liverpool and they have lodged a bid for his services, which is believed to have matched United's valuation. However, United have no intention of letting Heinze join one of their title rivals - but the former Paris Saint Germain ace has sought legal advice to try and push through a move to Anfield. Fergie meeting Speaking after meeting with Ferguson, Heinze said: "I've spoken with the coach and I have insisted that my wish is to leave the club if a big offer appears on the table. "Today the only such offer is from Liverpool and it is this that is causing the problem. Earlier in the summer I received a promise from United that I could leave if the deal was good for both parties and at the moment there is an offer from Liverpool. "The coach is serious about this and I understand his view. But I am serious, too. My lawyers are studying the situation and I'm going to wait for a few days now to get a full report from them." Resolution Heinze insists he wants his future resolving as soon as possible as he looks unlikely to play for United again. "All I want now is a swift solution to this saga," Heinze told the Daily Mail. "I've fulfilled my duties by returning for training and I will now carry on behaving like a professional. I will keep on coming to training and will see what happens. I have a muscle injury in my leg but it is only minor and will not keep me out for long. "People keep saying that there's an offer for me from Juventus but I know nothing about it. Liverpool is the only offer so far. "I don't want to spend time at the club just waiting and not playing as I don't think that is in the best interests of the club or myself." United chief executive David Gill underlined the club's stance, insisting they would not stand in his way if a foreign club came in for him. "If there's interest from overseas and the valuation's right, I could see him moving," said Gill.

What about the times he set someone up who f*ckin missed or was disallowed? e.g. Bellamy against Spurs.

Kuyt did it loads last season. Check your stats.

2 things: 1) Kuyt's first touch is very good. I'm amazed people keep criticising it. 2) This f*ckin moaning about Kuyt not being in the box enough, particularly last season. He scored sh*t loads for Feyenord in the box including the tap ins that people are craving so why do you think he's not for us? It's not because he's not capable of playing that role it's because the manager tells him to perform a different one. I would have thought that was pretty obvious.

As someone else has mentioned it also highlights the rather large gap between pitch and stands.

It's where he played most of his games for Ajax.

Does anyone actually believe that Rafa will change his tactics this season for away matches? Extremley doubtful imo.

Kewell is easily half as good.

Yeh i know. I was just suggesting that it was a personal trip rather than business.

Probably f*ck all like but my mate was next to Rafa in the queue for a flight from Santiago airport on Tuesday morning which if i am correct is not too far from Vigo. Isn't Rafa from the North of Spain though?

F*ckin sh*te that. I've been on since '98 and wrote informing of a change of address and got quite a swift response. The other questions in my letter were ignored though e.g. 1) how long the list was 2) does the fact that i requested 2 tickets hinder my chances of getting one if it came up

We were f*ckin miles better than Pompey. Totally dominated without the spine of the team playing - Gerrard, Carra and Torres. When we got a bit tired they had a couple of chances on the break.

F*ckin incompetent tw*ts.

Reckon Hargreaves will do well at the Mancs unfortunatley

Also the games in China are confusing on the Sky website http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=217652

I'm not overly bothered if we get him but can understand if we do. Some people are unnecessarily losing their minds over this.

Even if Heinze isn't an improvement on Riise (which is debatable) it will at least give him the kick up the a*se he so badly needed at times last season. Also, name me one CB who is as good as Carra or Agger who would be prepared to play as back up?

I reckon Babel and Torres will certianly give us an extra dimension. It's easy to suggest we've simply "missed" out on Tevez because of funding because it supports you argument. Look at the f*ckin mess the Mancs are in trying to sign him. Torres was the number one choice up front and we got him. Benayoun for Garcia, Babel - Rafa has been watching for years so he doesn't seem like a 2nd or 3rd choice either - and if he is it's not because of lack of funds. You can't have (and don't have to have) world class players in every position. Name me one team that does.

Yossi is right up there with Dirk. His face is shaped like the scream mask.

It's not gonna be a word for word translation is it

Alright, ordered to be arrested.

Sky Sports The purported transfer of Carlos Tevez to Manchester United has taken a fresh twist, with the news that an arrest order has been issued for businessman Kia Joorabchian, the representative responsible for the player's affairs. A federal judge in Brazil has charged Joorabchian, amongst others, with money-laundering and being part of a criminal gang, for the role he played in the relationship between Media Sports Investment (MSI), the company he fronts, and Corinthians, the Brazilian club he first took Tevez to, before bringing him to England. London-based MSI has been under investigation ever since it took over Corinthians back in 2004, with Brazilian intelligence known to have run thorough checks on the company. "The (MSI) transactions are carried out with the use of numerous offshore accounts which have the single and well-known intention of distancing the investor and the illicit origin of the resources from their final destination, in this case the purchase and sale of (football) players," the federal attorneys Silvio Luis Martins de Oliveira and Rodrigo de Grandis are quoted as saying on Brazilian legal website consultor Juridico. The detention of Corinthians president Alberto Dualib has also been ordered, along with that of Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, whose money is thought to have bankrolled MSI. Both face similar charges. News of Joorabchian's impending arrest has overshadowed the news, revealed exclusively to Sky Sports News on Thursday, that Tevez would wrap up his move to Manchester United in the next few days. Suspicions of corruption were raised by the failure of money involved in the purchasing of players to be passed through the country, in a chain of events which has manifest accusations of money laundering. Both MSI and Corinthians have reportedly been unable to clarify the origins of the money, which proceeded to lead to the investigation, that has ultimately led to Joorabchian's impending arrest and cast further doubts over Tevez's move to United. Joorabchian has been at the centre of the furore caused by Tevez's switch to West Ham, which concluded at the campaign's end with the Premier League club being fined £5.5million, having been found guilty of third-party ownership. Sheffield United, who feel they should be reinstated to the top flight, at West Ham's expense, have taken the matter to the High Court, but it would appear Joorabchian now has more pressing affairs of his own. ------------------------------- Messy as f*ck this. Hope this doesn't have repurcussions with Mascherano.

Great article in the Echo TORRES: A working class hero is all that I want to be Jul 13 2007 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo TO some players, signing for Liverpool represents the summit of their ambition. Too many of the club’s most recent record signings have seen a lucrative Anfield contract primarily as a passport to fame and fortune, bringing their years of toil elsewhere to an end while they reap the rewards of their newly acquired reputation. The compulsion to continue to improve as a player, or put in the extra hours to inspire their side to glory, has often appeared secondary to living off the status of being a Liverpool player. It comes as a refreshing relief that the latest multi-million pound recruit, Fernando Torres, breaks this trend. Torres has left his iconic standing in Madrid, where he could have stayed a local hero for the rest of his career, to start from scratch and test himself on Merseyside. When asked if he felt joining Liverpool for such a massive fee was evidence enough that he’s already proved his credentials at the highest level, the reaction is joyously humble. “If I had the idea I’d already be a success just by joining Liverpool, I wouldn’t have come,” says the 23-year-old. “To achieve the level the people here demand of me I know I will have to work hard all the time. “To hit this level I must be focused completely on my football. I could have stayed where I was comfortable, but what attracted me to Liverpool is it’s a working team. “The gaffer has put a mentality into the team that means everyone must work hard for success. “This is known to be a key characteristic of Benitez’s side and I like this. “I also like that Liverpool is a working class area with supporters who I believe are similar to those of Atletico, who appreciate and respect hard work. “At this kind of club, there is usually a special bond between the players and the supporters. It means there is a different spirit about the city and the club compared to some others. “Although the players have told me about the mentality of the Liverpool people, and how the fans are, I don’t think this is something which can be explained in words. “It is only something I can understand when I play my first game at Anfield against Chelsea. Then I will fully know about the relationship between the Liverpool supporters and the players.” Torres revealed on his arrival he had no interest in leaving Atletico for any other club than Liverpool. That’s partly, he says, due to the obvious Spanish connections. But he also admits the hunger he could sense at a club seeking its first title in 18 years appealed to his sentiments. “I know how much everyone at Liverpool want to win the title because it’s been many years since the club has done it,” he said. “But with the squad we have right now I’m sure we can compete for all the trophies. “Unfortunately, Atletico isn’t at the level it should be given the size of the club and its history. I hoped to reach certain targets and achieve ambitions with Atletico but it wasn’t possible. “Liverpool are always competing for the league or Champions League and I feel I needed to take this step to compete against the best players in the world. “After being in two Champions League finals in three years, Liverpool has the respect it deserves so it’s not difficult to understand why I would want to come here. “There were other factors in my decision, of course. Having a Spanish manager and other Spanish players who’ve told me about the club makes it better for me, but mainly I want to compete for important trophies.” There’s no doubt Torres has left a comfort zone in Spain where, despite tremendous pressures on young shoulders, he could do no wrong in the eyes of Atletico fans. One senses he’s relishing the challenge of winning over supporters who’ll cast their own judgement in the months to come. “Every club has its own identity and players who are icons, but it takes time, good performance and good results to earn respect,” he says. “I understand that Liverpool has Carra and Steven Gerrard who have that link with the supporters because they’ve been here and great players for a long time. “At Atletico, I was young and a supporter of the club so I had a similar relationship with the fans, but I recognise to achieve the same here will only be possible with hard work. I can promise I will try my best. “Everything has been perfect so far. I’ve only had a small opportunity to walk around the city but the reception towards me has been very warm, which instantly makes me feel comfortable. “I’ve been amazed by the club because already I see the big difference in the organisation of the English and Spanish clubs in terms of the attention shown to the players. “It makes me realise there is still a lot to learn in Spain. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome.” Torres will miss out on a debut at Crewe tomorrow, but should be fit to face Werder Bremen in Switzerland on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to wearing the number nine shirt for the first time,” he said. “I know what this number means at Liverpool and those who’ve worn it. It brings a lot of responsibility, but I will be proud to wear it. “I’m particularly looking forward to wearing it at Anfield.”

Can't see Rafa changing his tactics too much away from home if I'm honest. How many managers radically change they way they play one season from the next? Can't think of any. Houllier did it for a few games at the begninning of 2003/04 season and then bottled it and reverted back to his cautious approach. Rafa's been successful in Spain and in the CL with the cautious away day approach and you can bet he believes he can do it here. As much as it was painful sometimes last year if we'd have taken some chances when we were on top it might have been a different story. We'll never play like the Mancs with Rafa in charge but we might just have the players in the final 3rd next season who can take the chances i.e. Torres, Babel, Kewell, Kuyt (in the box).

But better. Quality signing this. Time will tell but I actually think this is a slight improvement on Luis as much as i loved the guy.