Stay close, sit tight

Sir Alex has some words on the Tevez thing (don't think it can be termed "saga" yet, that can still be reserved for Ronaldo-to-Real stories) today, the most important of which are these:

‘Yeah, I think he should be [here next season],’ said Ferguson of Tevez, without too much conviction.

‘I certainly hope so. He does give fantastic effort. That is one of his best qualities. He is a tiger, he fights for every ball.

‘But he has played more minutes than any of the other players up front and I think if he looked at that he would think differently. Of course we are vulnerable to other clubs coming in for him, no question about that.

‘Six games left in the league and at least two games left in the Champions League. Hopefully, at the end of the season, he will realise that he has made a big contribution.’

The editorializing of "without much conviction", seems a little misplaced, Sir Alex seemed to say it much the same way as he said everything else at the press conference, and after reports of him saying he wants to leave, as well as the fact that he's only on loan, rather than our player, he's not going to be absolutely 100% about it is he?
Sir Alex also had a few words on Berbatov:

"It was a bad penalty and he knows that," Ferguson said. "He was disappointed in himself, don't worry about that. He is down about it."

"We'll move on," he added, let's hope so.
There were words of praise for Giggs:

The stats prove the Welshman, 35, is still the country’s most creative player and a key figure for United.

Ferguson said: “Yes, I’ve just got the figures this morning — the number of assists and chances he has made is just fantastic. It’s amazing.

“He’s the most respected player at the club because what he’s achieved is an example to everybody.

“Ryan made his debut at about the time Welbeck and Macheda were born. It’s unbelievable.

“Whatever accolades he gets, he deserves them. I hope he wins the PFA Player of the Season award. He’s had 31 games this season.

“Hopefully he will be awarded for his contribution to the game.”

As well as Rooney:

"He's amazing,'' said Ferguson. "His stamina levels are unquestionable. He's got this desire to be involved all the time. He never stops. He's maturing now. He has a great desire and there are very few players with that hunger. It's wonderful to see in a young person.

"Sometimes he prefers to play towards the left-hand side in that little corner in between players and giving the problem to the opposition right-back and right centre-back – 'who is going to pick me up?'

He has created that role very well for himself. He is a handful in there because with his power and his strength he has the ability to hold off defenders – with his pace too.''

And The Sun reckons Rooney will be rewarded with a new contract:

The England star, 23, has two full seasons left on his current deal after signing a £100,000-a-week package three years ago.

But United plan to begin discussions on a fresh mega-bucks agreement giving Rooney parity with stars like Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo on £125,000 per week.

The other big story is that we've, apparently approached Kaka, as a replacement for Ronaldo, although there are 2 different versions, The Sun claim:

MANCHESTER UNITED held talks with Kaka yesterday over a sensational summer move.

The Brazilian’s representatives met United to discuss personal terms which would total £35million in wages alone.

A source close to the AC Milan superstar confirmed: “It was a very positive meeting, although nothing was agreed.

“The player wants a five-year contract and wages of £135,000 a week. He is very keen to join United and these are figures that are within United’s pay structure. It’s up to them what happens now.”

While The Mail claim that the meeting is for the future:

Intermediaries of the Premier League champions will meet Milan over the next 10 days to discuss figures and the possibility of luring the brilliant Brazilian playmaker to Old Trafford.

Given the different versions I'm not exactly sure how much weight to put on these stories.
Finally, The Sun have an interview with Vidic:

“It’s important to learn about a new city, a new country, when you first arrive. And, for me, I remember when I first discovered fish and chips.

"The way I see it, if you went to Serbia you wouldn’t go to an Italian to try the traditional food. It was the same for me here. When my friends came over, the first thing they said was ‘We want to see the pub, it’s traditional in England’. It’s the same with the fish and chips.

“I must admit I do like eating them. But obviously I can only have them occasionally, because you have to keep in the right shape to play.

“They are one of the great English traditions, though, and it’s important to know all about that sort of thing.

“When I first came over, I couldn’t even understand more than a few words and could speak even less. Not much more than ‘Hi, how are you?’, ‘Man on’ and ‘Time’.

“After 3½ years I’m really settled now but it is definitely hard at first. You are learning about the city, everything else and making new friends to have a life outside football.”

And he enters the Berbatov debate as well:

“Look, anyone can miss a penalty. And he was more angry about it than anyone.

“It was hard for him. But when John Terry missed in Moscow last season, no one said he was a bad player because of it. Everyone knows he’s a great one and it’s the same with Dimitar.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the winner against Tottenham on Saturday, because he’s a very talented player with great qualities.

“Don’t forget this is his first season here. It’s always hard when you change clubs, especially going to one as big as United. Obviously, we know he can do much more but he has still got 13 goals and done really well so far.”

Not going to have time to do a proper match preview today. Needless to say I expect us to win and win and win well. Saw on Sky Sports News this morning that Spurs have failed to win their last 61 games away to the "Big 4", which says enough to suggest an easy game, and after the chances we missed against Portsmouth there are signs our creative flow is back, so my prediction is 3-0 to us. And Berbatov to score...