Shahzaib, Faisal give Sind huge lead

Shahzaib Hasan and Faisal Iqbal scored centuries to give Sind a huge lead against Baluchistan on the second day at the National Stadium in Karachi. Resuming on 127 for 1, with Hasan on 66, Sind were dismissed for 487, leading by 323 runs. Hasan scored 119 off 129 deliveries, while Faisal's century was more rapid - 112 off 134 deliveries. There were useful contributions from Fahad Iqbal (68) and Mohammad Sami (48) as well. Fast bowler Rahat Ali took 5 for 106 for Baluchistan but was unable to prevent Sind from taking firm control of the Pentangular Cup game.

Punjab dismissed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province for 210 and then reached 95 for 1 on the first day of their Pentangular Cup match at the at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Raza Hasan took 5 for 80 after Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chose to bat, and he was supported by Asif Raza, who took 3 for 29. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were in fact in danger of not reaching 200, but the No. 9 Khalid Usman scored 59 off 48 balls to lift them from 144 for 7. No other batsman made more than 50 in the innings. Punjab lost Nasir Jamshed for 8 in their reply but Ahmed Shehzad and Shoaib Malik steered them through to stumps without further loss. Shehzad scored 57 off 77 balls in Punjab's 95.

I took up the captaincy for one year - Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka's new captain, has said his second term will be for a year at most and that his priority is to rebuild the team following a string of defeats in Tests and ODIs after the 2011 World Cup. The tri-series in Australia, involving the hosts and India, will be Jayawardene's first assignment after taking over the leadership from Tillakaratne Dilshan.

"I took up the captaincy once again, for one year. Our target is to win matches, to regain our place as one of the top four Test-playing nations," Jayawardene said in Colombo. "We have failed as a team in the past but we have to look past that and move forward. We face India and Australia next month. We need to take the positives from South Africa and focus on winning matches again."

Jayawardene was ODI captain from 2004 till 2009 (he took over as Test captain in 2006). He resigned in 2009, saying he wanted his successor to have sufficient time to build the team for the 2011 World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara took over from Jayawardene but stepped down after leading Sri Lanka to the final of the World Cup. Dilshan led Sri Lanka for nine months after the tournament, but resigned following series defeats in both Tests and ODIs in all his four assignments.

"This is a juncture where the Sri Lanka cricket team needs someone's help," Jayawardene said. "I told the selectors that I will at the most remain the captain for a year, and we came to an agreement. To remain as the skipper I will have to contribute to the team. If I'm not doing a perfect role as a player, then I should not hold the captaincy.

"I will turn 35 this year and I don't have any intention to even remain in the team if I'm not making my contributions as a player. It's a short-term decision. We will work on grooming the team and a future captain as well."

Dilshan backed Jayawardene's appointment and said his tenure should be for more than a year. "Twelve months is not enough to groom a young Sri Lanka cricket team and a new captain. My opinion is that Mahela should be there for at least two years and we as players are willing to offer our support to him."

Sri Lanka's next series will not only be under a new captain but also a new coach, Graham Ford, who replaced Geoff Marsh. Both Jayawardene and Dilshan did not comment on Marsh's departure as Sri Lanka coach. Marsh had been appointed in Sepetmber 2011 but his tenure ended after defeats in the UAE and South Africa.

"That is not my area. That is up to the selectors," Jayawardene said when asked about Marsh. "My focus is to work with what I have got. Graham is experienced, and we need his services to rebuild, harness new players and win games."

Dilshan said: "There was criticism after we lost games about my leadership, so I resigned. The coach [Marsh], I don't know, that is a decision of the selectors."

Yuvraj Singh ruled out of IPL

Yuvraj Singh, the India batsman, could be ruled out of cricket for as many as six months due to the ongoing treatment of his non-malignant lung tumour. This means he will at least miss the Asia Cup and the IPL, where he captained the Pune Warriors last year.

The last time Yuvraj played competitive cricket was the Tests against West Indies last November, and he was originally hoping to return as early as next month's ODI tri-series in Australia.

According to PTI, quoting an unnamed source from the IPL, Yuvraj is currently overseas. He has travelled to the United States in order to undergo "advanced treatment" for the tumour following which there will be a period of recuperation expected to take several months as well. This means he would not be available to play in the IPL, which starts on April 4. The unnamed IPL source said it could take up to "six months" for Yuvraj to return to cricket.

It has been a nightmare run for Yuvraj since his Man-of-the-Series performance in India's World Cup victory last year. An injury kept him out of the tour of the West Indies and his contribution to India's tour of England was cut short by a finger injury sustained during the Nottingham Test. He returned for the home Tests against West Indies, and was left out of the side for the third Test, in November.

Uefa labels 36 per cent increase in annual losses 'the last wake-up call' for Europe's elite

According to the latest club licensing report, which covers 2010, the continent’s finest recorded an overall loss of €1.6 billion, underlining the need for cost-cutting measures

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino has said that the 36 per cent increase in reported annual loses among Europe’s top-flight clubs represents “the last wake-up call” for those still opposed to the introduction of Financial Fair Play (FFP).

According to Uefa’s latest club licensing report, which covers 2010, the continent’s finest recorded an overall loss of €1.6 billion.

As a result, Infantino believes that there can now be no debate over whether FFP is essential for the future of Europe’s top clubs.

“You will see today some very worrying figures,” he told reporters at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

“This is the last wake-up call for those that have not realised that FFP will happen. You will see the figures and see something has to be done.”

Infantino acknowledged that while total revenue is growing within the European game, the losses are growing even faster.

“That is why I say this is the last wake-up call for European football,” he pointed out. “This red trend has to be inverted very, very quickly if we want to save European football. 

“Net losses have increased in European football every year since 2006. Income has grown but so have losses. 

“In two years from 2008 to 2010 net losses have increased by €1bn. In 2006 losses were just €216m. 

“If this is not enough to tell us that we need to act, and act quickly, then nothing will.”

The one success story on the continent is the Bundesliga. German clubs agreed to implement cost-cutting measures 18 months ago and the benefits are now being felt.

The Bundesliga’s annual report for the 2010-11 season boasts a record revenue figure of €2.23bn. In addition, the championship also posted a profit of €52.5m.

"The measures for an improved cost control approved by the clubs in August 2010 have borne fruit,” Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"With that, professional football continues to have a strong outlook of remaining a success story, also because the Bundesliga is as popular as never before with fans, sponsors and media partners."

As part of Uefa's FFP regulations, clubs must bring their football-related expenditure under control over a three-year period or run the risk of points deductions, transfer embargoes or expulsion from European competition.

Napoli's Walter Mazzarri to miss Champions League clashes against Chelsea after receiving two-match ban

The Italian coach will not be allowed in the dugout for the upcoming matches against the Blues, but the Serie A side are hopeful they will win the appeal

Uefa has announced that Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has been handed a two-match touchline suspension for the Champions League.

This means that the Partenopei boss will be in the stands for both legs of Napoli's Champions League round of 16 tie against Chelsea on February 21 and March 14.

The 50-year-old coach was sent off during Napoli's 2-0 victory against Villarreal in December for protesting at the Spanish side's time-wasting by pushing Nilmar off the ball.

In addition to the suspension, Mazzarri has also been fined €3,000 [£2,500] for his actions.

"We will present our appeal next week - our goal is to at least reduce the ban by one match," Napoli lawyer Mattia Grassani told Radio Gol.

"We want to prove that what Walter did was minimal since there was no aggression. Our biggest goal is to transform the suspension into a fine."

Sir Alex Ferguson calls for calm ahead of Manchester United's FA Cup clash with Liverpool - 'There is a responsibility on the players to behave'

Much of the pre-match talk has surrounded Patrice Evra following his race row with Luis Suarez but the Scot believes the players will be able to influence the fans to behave well

Sir Alex Ferguson has called for the players to take responsibility for the atmosphere inside Anfield when Manchester United meet Liverpool in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The game is the first meeting between the two since Luis Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing United's Patrice Evra, giving the game a potentially unsavoury edge.

Despite the potentially volatile reception waiting for United and Evra, Ferguson is adamant he is only focussed on the match and echoes Steven Gerrard's belief that the players must ensure thing don't get out of hand.

Ferguson told reporters: "It's a massive game for both clubs. There's a tremendous profile on it. There will be interest throughout the country.

"As Steven Gerrard said yesterday, there is a responsibility on the players to behave properly. That is what I expect my players to do, and also the fans.

"Both sets of fans have got to make sure we are talking about the game and nothing else. It can be that way because there are a lot of good players on the pitch.

"It is a big game and at the end of the day we want to talk about a game of football.

"You just have to concentrate on the game. We have to try and play our game – that helps. Both sets of players have to be aware of that. I'm confident there won't be problems."

Ferguson also suggested he may be facing a selection headache ahead of the game, with several members of his first-team squad doubtful for the fourth round tie.

Rio Ferdinand missed their win last weekend over Arsenal with a back problem while Phil Jones, Nani and Wayne Rooney all picked up knocks at the Emirates.

Sir Alex continued: "Hopefully we'll have two or three training this morning and we'll be better by tomorrow. It is not the best situation for us."

"It's a big FA Cup tie – there's no doubt about it, in my time there haven't been many cup ties between the clubs. It's one to look forward to and I think the players will follow that."

Arsenal's Theo Walcott calls recent form 'not good enough' and urges team to respond

The Gunners winger also paid tribute to Robin van Persie's captaincy and looked ahead to the return of Jack Wilshere, claiming he could become better than Cesc Fabregas

Theo Walcott has described Arsenal's run of three consecutive Premier League defeats as 'not good enough' and urged his team-mates to help ease the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners are currently lying in fifth place in the Premier League, joint on 36 points with Newcastle United, but five points behind Chelsea one place above them and their recent form hasn't helped after three consecutive defeats to Fulham, Swansea and, most recently, Manchester United.

The 22-year-old admitted his manager had taken a lot of the criticism for the recent dip in form and called for the team to step up and take responsibility.

"The manager will take all the stick," he told the Daily Telegraph. 

"He looks after us. He believes in us.

"As players we need to look at ourselves. We need to take responsibility. The last few games haven't been good enough.

"The worst thing is we have a lot of regrets. There are games we could have won. 

“When you go to Swansea and score two goals you should win."

Walcott also spoke of his captain Robin Van Persie and praised his influence within the dressing room. 

"We always like to reflect on the game in the dressing room, even at half-time, sharing our feelings on the game," Walcott said. 

"Robin is a great captain who wants to win. He believes in the team and knows the team can do better.”

Arsenal face Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday before a trip to Bolton during the following week. Walcott refused to solely blame the injury list for their dip in form but did pay tribute to Jack Wilshere, who has been absent all season. 

"We've missed him. He's an important player even after just that one year [in the team]," he said. 

"People compare him to Cesc [Fabregas]. I think he can be better than Cesc, definitely. It's just a shame he had that massive injury.

"Injuries don't help but we can't just look at injuries."

Barcelona's Lionel Messi admits anguish over accusations of lack of passion for Argentina

The 24-year-old forward, who has spent half of his life living in Spain, insists that he loves his country and gives his all every time he lines up for the national team

Lionel Messi has admitted that he has been hurt by accusations that he does not care about playing for Argentina as much as he does for Barcelona.

The 24-year-old has established himself as the best player in the world on the back of his performances for the Spanish club side, but it has been alleged within his homeland that he has yet to perform as majestically on the international stage.

Some claimed that the perceived disparity in the quality of his performances was down to a lack of patriotism on the part of a player who moved to Barcelona when he was just 12.

Messi has dismissed this, and confessed that such talk saddened him.

“Yes, yes, it hurt, it bothered me,” the diminutive No.10 told Time Magazine, in the first occasion that a football player has been exclusively on the cover of the publication in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific.

“Because they said things that weren't true - that I didn't care as much about wearing the [Argentina] shirt.

“I didn't feel that, I didn't think that. And now, I think what people need to understand is that this is a team game, and that I try to play the same way there as I do in Barcelona, and always do the best I can.”

Messi also dismissed the suggestion that his love for his country has been diluted by having spent half of his life living in Catalunya.

“I've never stopped being Argentine and I've never wanted to,” he declared. “I feel very proud of being Argentine, even though I left there.

“I've been clear about this since I was very young, and I never wanted to change.

“Barcelona is my home because both the club and the people here have given me everything, but I won't stop being Argentine.”

Consequently, Messi is happy that he is no longer copping as much flak from his countrymen.

“Before, there was a lot of criticism and everything was bad,” he explained. “And now it's not like that.

“That's good, because every country I go to, people have always received me very well, and in my own country that wasn't happening.”

At both club and international level, Messi’s form is constantly being compared to that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

There is a school of thought that the pair’s rivalry brings the best out of both players, but the South American attacker does not see it like that.

“I don't think so,” he mused. “I never really fixated on him, or compared myself with another player.

“My mentality is just to achieve more each year, to grow both as an individual and as a team, and if he wasn't there, I'd be doing the same thing.

“I think he's a good person. I think he's a good player, who brings a lot to Real Madrid, and who, in any moment, can decide a game.

“But I care about how Madrid are doing because they're competing against us, and they're in La Liga, and because almost every year, we compete for the title. 

“But [comparing myself] against Ronaldo, no.”

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for the past three years and currently boasts a record of 141 goals in 196 La Liga games for Barca.

Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Luka Modric & the deals that will not happen in January... but might in the summer

A quiet transfer window this month has seen relatively little activity so far, but those who stay put could still be in line for an exit at the end of the season

Most of the Premier League’s marquee names will stay put this month as their clubs shut the curtains and turn off the fax machine to avoid any unwelcome interest.

But it will be a different case in the summer when ambition, money and the prospect of a new challenge combine to provide a cocktail of enticing possibilities for those with big reputations.

Here, Goal.com analyses the players that will be faithful to their employers in the current window but are ready to flutter their eyelashes at long-standing admirers in the summer.

Gareth Bale | Tottenham

Luka Modric is not the only leading light who could leave the Tottenham stage this summer if an eye-watering offer comes the club’s way.

Assuming Bale does not fancy career suicide and a gargantuan pay day in the Far or Middle East, the most likely suitors are Manchester City, who made enquiries for the coveted winger last year, or one of the two Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, both of whom could offer Bale the left flank and a platform to hoover up trophies.

Much depends on how Tottenham finish the season, the future of Harry Redknapp and Bale’s own maturity. A move abroad this summer is likely to be at least 12 months too early for the 22-year-old, who is only starting to get used to the attention that his rapid rise has brought.

Dimitar Berbatov | Manchester United

Seemingly unloved by Manchester United, the Bulgarian will be on the lookout for a happier relationship in the summer.

Although United insist they can take advantage of a clause in March which allows them to extend Berbatov’s contract for another year, the player’s status as fourth-choice striker would appear to mean that the only advantage for the Premier League champions in doing so would be to extract a bigger fee when they sell him.

Berbatov told the club before last season’s Champions League final that he would run down his current deal, which might explain why he did not even make the substitutes' bench against Barcelona that day.

Rumours of a switch to the Bundesliga, where he established his reputation, abound although former club Bayer Leverkusen have publicly distanced themselves from a move for the striker.

Didier Drogba | Chelsea

One of the most instrumental figures in the modern Chelsea success story, Drogba will be on the market this summer and almost certain to bring down the curtain on a glittering Stamford Bridge career.

He can sign a pre-agreement with a foreign club at any point before then, which is the most likely scenario given Chelsea’s reluctance to increase the striker’s offer of a contract extension to two years.

Drogba is safe in the knowledge that Chinese, Russian and MLS clubs will offer him cosy semi-retirement and suitcases of cash, while the carrot of a greater challenge will be offered by the cream of Italy, Spain and France.

Don’t discount a switch to another Premier League club. Drogba loves London life and his growing political status in the Ivory Coast is smoothed by his connections in the capital.

Eden Hazard | Lille

There is not a major club in Europe who has not paid close attention to the heady rise of the finest Belgian export since Stella Artois.

Hazard’s camp told Lille last summer that the playmaker would stay for one more season so the stampede to sign one of Europe’s most coveted young players will begin in earnest in the build-up to the summer window.

The 21-year-old has given mixed messages about where he would like to take the next step in a career that has been spent entirely in France since joining the Lille academy seven years ago but few realistically expect him to go anywhere other than one of the plum English or Spanish clubs.

Reports of a pre-contract with Real Madrid have been strongly denied but neither the La Liga leaders nor great rivals Barcelona can be discounted, while Chelsea have good relationships with the agents representing the cream of Belgian talent after buying Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois last summer and closing in on the purchase of Kevin De Bruyne.

Frank Lampard | Chelsea

He may be only nine months younger than his manager but there has been a chasm in the relationship between the pair at times this season.

Andre Villas-Boas has kept his distance from the senior Chelsea players and Lampard has seen his once untouchable status considerably diminished.

With his current contract due to expire in the summer of 2013, Lampard’s Chelsea future will be a hot topic of debate over the coming months.

His own desire to stay at Stamford Bridge could depend on whether Villas-Boas remains in the dugout next season.

Midfielders who can provide a cast iron guarantee of goals are worth their weight in precious metal and, if Manchester United’s early January enquiry is anything to by, there will be plenty of top Premier League and European clubs offering a platinum pension to the player, who turns 34 in June.

Luka Modric | Tottenham

Tottenham are already steeling themselves for another summer of endless speculation about the future of the player who makes them tick.

Chairman Daniel Levy put his reputation on the line to fight off the advances of Chelsea last summer and will have to dig his heels in equally deep to keep the player out of the clutches of one of his many admirers.

Chelsea, who offered Spurs £40m for the midfielder hours before the end of the 2011 summer window, still have a Modric itch that has not been scratched while Sir Alex Ferguson is pushing Manchester United to bring the Croatian to Old Trafford this summer and a concerted campaign to prise him from White Hart Lane will begin in May.

Only an offer around the £45m mark from a Premier League rival will make Levy blink, although he might take a more realistic line with the up-and-coming nouveau riche on the Continent, such as Paris Saint-Germain or Malaga. Given his age and status, Modric is likely to prefer one of the established Champions League heavyweights.

Loic Remy | Marseille

The France international has stated he will not leave Marseille before the summer but he has left the door wide open for a likely switch to the Premier League.

Tottenham tried to entice the striker this month and Liverpool and Newcastle have also paid close attention to a player who has a good scoring record, frequently from a wide position, without quite pulling up any trees in Ligue 1.

Harry Redknapp’s possible England appointment will not lead to a drastic change in Spurs’ recruitment plans over the coming months and the foundations are likely to be put in place in readiness for a summer swoop.

Wayne Rooney | Manchester United

Hastily arranged statements from Manchester United and Wayne Rooney denying stories of an imminent move from Old Trafford have temporarily ended rumours of a split in the relationship between club and star player.

But there is growing evidence that the Rooney-Sir Alex Ferguson marriage is no longer an innocent, affectionate one.

The England and United talisman was furious about being fined a week’s wages for his Boxing Day misdemeanours when he felt some of his team-mates got off more lightly.

Should Ferguson feel that Rooney’s commitment or effectiveness has waned, don’t discount a sensational summer exit from United.

Manchester City would be a bridge too far for anyone with Old Trafford affections but the club were genuinely interested in signing him 15 months ago and could not be discounted again as possible suitors. Outside of Manchester, only a tiny elite of clubs would be able to afford Rooney’s wages and offer him the prospect of career fulfilment.

Robin van Persie | Arsenal

The Dutchman has been flying this season after continuing where he left off in the second half of 2010/11 but the shadow of his long-term future continues to hover on Arsenal’s horizon.

As revealed by Goal.com last September, Van Persie’s camp have told the club they will not start contract talks until the end of the season.

Given that he turns 29 in August, has been at Arsenal throughout their six-season trophy drought and can double his wages at the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, London’s most successful club face a huge battle to prevent Van Persie doing what Samir Nasri did last summer.

Whispers that City will make a huge push to add van Persie to their battalion of ex-Gunners refuse to die down and they are expected to head what is likely to be a lengthy queue of Europe’s elite for the striker’s services.

Theo Walcott | Arsenal

Like Robin van Persie, the England international will not be short of options in the summer as he weighs up whether to commit himself to Arsenal beyond 2013.

The club have held two sets of informal contract talks with Walcott’s representatives and the player himself will sit down with Arsene Wenger in the next few weeks to see where he fits into the manager’s long-term plans.

It is likely that Walcott will wait and see how the club finish the season before signing his name to what would be the third contract of his Arsenal career.

Suitors abound. Liverpool and Manchester City have been long-term admirers and, further ashore, where Walcott arguably has a better reputation, Juventus head the queue of Italian and Spanish clubs who are monitoring his situation.

Barcelona's Pep Guardiola: We were better than Real Madrid over 180 minutes

The 41-year-old trainer believes his team deserve their place in the semi-final of the cup, and was also keen to play down the Blancos' second-half comeback at Camp Nou

Pep Guardiola downplayed Real Madrid's spirited performance in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter final against Barcelona on Wednesday evening, asserting that the Catalans - who ran out eventual 4-3 winners on aggregate - were the better side over 180 minutes.

Despite Madrid making an impressive start to the game, it was the Blaugrana who were cruising at half-time with a 2-0 lead courtesy of strikes from Pedro and Dani Alves.

However, second-half strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema made for a tense finale, with Jose Mourinho's men pushing for the goal that would have taken them through.

Yet Guardiola was reluctant to heap heavy praise on his opposition, who were reduced to 10 men late in the game.

"Madrid only did what we would have done in their situation. The [Barcelona] players showed great strength and I congratulate them. Madrid are a great team and therefore this merits our victory, Madrid played a good game, but we were the victors over the 180 minutes," he told reporters after the game.

The 41-year-old also played down claims that it was his most stressful game in charge of Barcelona, with the coach looking back to a Primera Division encounter versus Sevilla in 2010.

"I suffered more in Seville [in 2010]. We were winning 3-0 but then they pulled it back to 3-2 and if we had conceded again, we could have lost the league," he added.

The former Barcelona B man concluded his post-match comments with a few words on his opposite number, Mourinho, who he refused to criticise.

"With respect to my colleague [Mourinho], I want to thank him for congratulating our party at the Bernabeu," he stated.

Barcelona return to Liga action this weekend when they face a trip to out-of-form Villarreal.

Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. Friday's extract looks at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!

Fernandes wants points this time

Team boss hopes new car will propel them into the midfield pack

Caterham team principal Tony Fernandes has said that scoring World Championship points must be their goal in 2012.

The team are about to embark upon their third season in F1 but despite pulling clear of fellow newcomers Marussia and HRT they have yet to earn themselves a top-10 finish.

That was the goal they set themselves this time last year but Fernandes is hoping their new CT01 chassis, which received its official launch on Thursday, will finally provide the breakthrough.

As was the case last year, Caterham's latest chassis is Renault-powered and has a drive train supplied by World Champions Red Bull Racing.

However, Red Bull are also equipping Caterham with KERS for the first time and Fernandes hopes that the power boost, together with the expertise a growing team affords, will establish them in the midfield.

"Target wise, I have been quoted as saying I want us to score a point this year and that really has to be the aim. It has to be," he said.

"Towards the end of last year we were so close to the midfield cars, but our lack of KERS limited our capabilities.

"This year, however, with the people and facilities we have in the factory and the wind tunnel, and with KERS, I am confident that we will become a danger to many of the midfield teams, and yes, I want us to achieve a point somewhere in 2012 - maybe two if we are very lucky!"

As for the new CT01, the businessman has defend its look, insisting that to him the car is beautiful.Beautiful car

Most comment has centred on the 'platypus' nose of the car, which is in response to new regulations which have lowered the nose to a maximum height of 55cm.

"Personally I love this car, and it's very flattering that people want to talk about our car and our team, but the main consideration is that it is quick," Fernandes added.

"As long as it is quicker than last year's car I don't think the looks matter, and I am sure that when all the other cars are unveiled we will see a pretty common thread running through all of them.

"I actually think it's beautiful. It's different, and different does not equal ugly - in fact I think its difference is what makes it beautiful, but then I am probably a bit biased."

'His biggest mistakes are in the transfer market' - Manchester United fans on Sir Alex Ferguson's highs, lows & future replacement

With the Scot having been offered a new £7.5 million-a-year deal, Goal.com got the views of two Red Devils fans to gauge their opinions on Sir Alex past, present and future

Where would Manchester United be without Sir Alex Ferguson? The Scot has delivered trophy after trophy during 25 glorious years with the Red Devils and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest managers in football history long after he vacates the Old Trafford dugout.

It's not time to be writing Sir Alex's footballing obituary just yet, though. The 70-year-old is keen to prolong his stay at the Theatre of Dreams for at least the next three years and has, as exclusively revealed by Goal.com, been offered a new £7.5 million-a-year deal as the Glazer family attempt to reward the Glaswegian's remarkable achievements.

So with the United boss set to become the best paid manager in Britain, Goal.com caught up with United Rant editor Ed Barker and Tauren Spurling from Stretford-End to get their views on all things Sir Alex Ferguson...

FAVOURITE FERGUSON MOMENT

ED BARKER: Football. Bloody Hell! What a moment the 1999 final was, and how astounding Ferguson’s reaction to the last-gasp winner. Despite the distractions over the past six years – the lies, the unnecessary support of the owners –

"As fans danced around Camp Nou, or in front of their televisions, Ferguson summed up in three words the almost indescribable excitement of those last three minutes"

Ferguson was always a football man at heart, as passionate about the team as the supporters. As fans danced around Camp Nou, or in front of their televisions, Ferguson summed up in three words the almost indescribable excitement of those last three minutes. It will be a moment that will live very long in the memory.

TAUREN SPURLING: My favourite Ferguson moment would have to be his interview after the Champions League Final in 1999 – "Football, bloody hell!" It is an iconic comment now, capturing the feelings of millions of United fans and football fans in general, on a night not many will forget. We had been dominant in the domestic game for the decade, but in Europe we had always fallen depressingly short.

That season though, it felt like destiny was guiding us to that trophy. A horrible group containing Barcelona and our final opponents Bayern Munich, two epic 3-3 draws vs Barcelona and two draws vs Munich that the German side deserved nothing from in my opinion – poor reffing and a mistake from Schmeichel costing us. Epic encounters vs Inter and Juventus with standout performances from Stam, Berg and Keane. Then we came to the final and it all looked like it was for nothing. We were not as outplayed as history and comment would suggest, but it simply looked like we would fall short again. Then two minutes and we were Champions. Ferguson had conquered Europe, we had reached the promised land. "Football, bloody hell!"

FERGUSON'S BIGGEST MISTAKE?

ED BARKER: Taking on the Coolmore Mafia – JP McManus and John Magnier – was a colossal strategic error born of Ferguson’s financial self-interest and rampant ego. Roy Keane recently, to much criticism, suggested that Ferguson does not always put the club first. In relation to the Coolmore Affair Keane is absolutely right. By suing United’s major shareholders, Ferguson opened the club up to scrutiny, and placed the manager in a dangerously distracting spotlight. Ferguson also laid the ground for ownership changes ahead, which have been so costly to the club.

While the lawsuit in 2004 did not directly precipitate the sale by McManus and Magner of their shares to the Glazer family there is no doubt it created the right environment for it. With Ferguson under scrutiny, he said not a word about the takeover. Indeed, he has said nothing even approaching criticism of the Glazer family ever since.

TAUREN SPURLING: I think Ferguson’s biggest mistake is his attitude to the transfer market, or at least the attitude he portrays. Ask any United fan what area of the squad we need to strengthen and they would nearly all say central midfield, and probably would have done since 2009. Yet Ferguson has almost ignored this issue as he feels there is no value in the transfer market. The issue of value in the transfer market is partly down to the Ronaldo sale to Real Madrid at a world record transfer fee of £80 million – it set a new benchmark for all top class signings and at the time alerted all clubs we were looking to do business and that we had a lot of cash to spend.

The prices are high and Ferguson/Manchester United are partially responsible for setting them high. It also has to be seen that the transfer market has changed in terms of value, and Ferguson has to adapt to this. If he wants world class players, and that is his claim, he has to pay for them – it is as simple as that. Similarly, his line of no value falls short when you look at the business Newcastle United have done. Basically, I feel his biggest mistake is a failure to acknowledge the needs of the United squad and the changing face of the transfer market.

BEST FERGUSON SIGNING

ED BARKER: The finest signing was undoubtedly Eric Cantona, at just £1.2 million. What an unbelievable bargain, and how sickening it must still be for Leeds United supporters! In truth the answer would have been the same whether Eric cost 10 or 50 times as much that’s how important the Frenchman is in modern United history. Cantona’s impact on United’s success over the past 20 years cannot be underestimated. Not only was the striker a catalyst for title glories between 1992 and 1997, but an inspiration to a generation of United’s youngsters. 

"Carlos Queiroz added a tactical nous that I feel Ferguson lacked at the time, and lacks now"

Ask David Beckham, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, and Ryan Giggs who most influenced their development and, Ferguson aside, each will mention Cantona. With Giggs and Scholes still in Ferguson’s team, Cantona’s presence is still felt at Old Trafford today.

TAUREN SPURLING: As for his best signing, there are a number of candidates, right from the early days of his tenure in Irwin, Schmeichel, Pallister, Keane, Cantona through to players like Ruud van Nistlerooy, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo and Ferdinand. If you want you could make arguments for youth signings like Giggs, Beckham and the class of 92 in general. However, I would have to go with a staff addition, in Carlos Queiroz. He added a tactical nous that I feel Ferguson lacked at the time, and lacks now. He was key to change in style and eventual success in Europe.

Our development of 4-3-3/4-5-1 and the more patient passing game can be traced to Carlos in my opinion. I would also argue that he played a large role in the signing and development of Cristiano Ronaldo – I feel Ronaldo would not have been the success he was at United without the input of Queiroz and also that Nani and Anderson would be better players for us if Queiroz had stayed at the club. From a playing perspective, Cantona would be Ferguson’s best signing in my opinion – a relatively inexpensive signing, but the final piece in a jigsaw that has seen us become the most successful side in English football. Maybe things would have been the same or similar without Cantona, but in my mind he was the catalyst for our success from that first Premier League trophy to now.

WORST FERGUSON SIGNING

ED BARKER: Take your pick from Eric Djemba-Djemba, Bebe, David Bellion, Jordi Cruyff, Kleberson, William Prunier, Massimo Taibi... There have been some real stinkers over the years!

TAUREN SPURLING: I think Sir Alex Ferguson’s worst signing has to be considered to beBebe, I don’t think we can look past this signing. There have been high profile players, such as Veron (right player, wrong time) but the Bebe deal is terrible no matter what way you look at it. In a time when Ferguson is constantly decrying the lack of value in the transfer market, we spent £8 million on a player who we could have signed for £100k a month previous and whom I don’t think has played 90 minutes for the club.

He was a player we didn’t need and whom has offered no signs that it could be money well spent in the future. Not only is it a signing that has done nothing to aid the first team, it was a signing that has brought Ferguon’s, and United’s, reputation into question. Why did we spend so much on him, what was the role of Jorge Mendes in the deal? For me, and many, there are large question marks over the signing of Bebe, and for that reason I think he has been Ferguson’s worst.

HOW LONG CAN FERGUSON GO ON FOR

ED BARKER: Sir Alex has said three years so I suppose supporters will need to take that at face value. Having said that, Ferguson also said he’d never work until he was 70 and broke that promise! He also retired once too, in 2002, only to go back on the deal. The point being that when it comes to Ferguson, United is his life so retirement isn’t going to come easy. In reality Ferguson is working from year-to-year with no pressure for him to leave at any time other than that of his own choosing.

I suspect that short of any further health concerns, we may see the great manager carried out of Old Trafford in a box. Certainly, the Glazer family knows that Ferguson is United’s greatest asset. He doesn’t rock the boat. So why should the Americans seek to terminate Ferguson’s employment at anything other than the Scot’s behest? 

"If we were to win the Premier League this season, having seen off the first major challenge of Manchester City, Ferguson could well step aside"

TAUREN SPURLING: How long can Sir Alex Ferguson go on for? Who knows to be honest – I would imagine the answer is only for himself and his wife to know, as he will leave when he wants; I don’t think the Glazers would ever fire him. While he himself mentions ‘three years’ quite often, it seems like he has been saying that for a long time – and that it is a simple rolling three-year answer so as to keep the press off his back. I think when he does leave, it will seem very sudden – there will not be an announcement prior to his planned retirement as there was previously, as Ferguson and the club will have noted the destabilising effect that had on the side.

I don’t think it will depend on his health really, I think it will depend on the scenario the club finds itself in – if Ferguson feels it is the right time for him to move aside based on where the club is in terms of success or transitional cycle, or that the right manager to replace him looks to be available, I think we could see Ferguson step aside unexpectedly. Right now, I think if we were to win the Premier League this season, having seen off the first major challenge of Manchester City, Ferguson could well step aside – or if we don’t win the Premier League this season he may give it one more shot next season. Honestly, I think the 2013/14 season could start with a new manager at Manchester United.

WHO SHOULD REPLACE SIR ALEX?

ED BARKER: It’s almost impossible to answer that question. Ferguson has been around so long he’s part of the Old Trafford furniture; the very fabric of the club itself. It is going to be a very surreal moment when the manager finally steps down and a new man comes in. It’ll also be a very dangerous time if the Glazer family remains in charge at Old Trafford – a time when risk of failure will be at its highest.

Of course, there are some hugely capable people around, but are they all right for United? That is the key question. It’s hard to see the Glazer family taking any risks, unless budget is too tight to afford the right man. In the States they employed a young (cheap) coach at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team and it has failed. I suspect an experienced European hand will take over, but will Jose Mourinho really wait another three years for the job? Who would I personally like to see join: somebody young, vibrant, and with United to their core...Ole anyone?

TAUREN SPURLING: In my opinion, Jose Mourinho will be the next Manchester United manager, if the timing suits United, Sir Alex Ferguson and Mourinho himself. For me, he is the standout candidate of the realistic targets. Firstly, Ferguson has said himself that he feels the next United manager needs to be experienced, so that would rule out the popular potential appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Secondly, we have to look to the history of Manchester United and remember the issues we had when Matt Busby stepped down from the role – replacing him was a task too hard for many managers, and I think it will be an issue that has to be considered this time around when replacing Sir Alex Ferguson. It will take a certain amount of arrogance and self-confidence, and we all know Mourinho lacks neither of those traits. He would come into the job and immediately make the job about him – it would be Jose’s United, not Ferguson’s with a new manager.

He is also a manager much in the style of Sir Alex Ferguson, in that he wants control of all aspects of the club. He would be the Manchester United manager, not the first team coach, first team manager, or head coach as we see other managers described. He would maintain the club control Sir Alex Ferguson currently wields and would thus ensure a more stable transition. There are question marks over his style of play and youth policy – but looking at Madrid dispels style issues and a look at the facts dispels the youth issue. The last reason I think he will be the next United manager is that I think it is what he wants, and what he has set up. He has an excellent relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and I think Sir Alex Ferguson will give him his recommendation.

Official: Arsenal youngster Sanchez Watt joins League Two side Crawley Town on six-month loan deal

League Two side Crawley Town have signed Arsenal youngster Sanchez Watt on loan until the end of the season.

he 20-year-old, who has previously been on loan at Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, joins the promotion chasers for six months and can play in attack or down the flanks.

Watt has played for his parent club three times and scored on his debut for the club but has been loaned back out again.

The move down to League Two will come as a surprise to some given Watt's previous experience at League One and Championship level, but a delighted Steve Evans was thrilled to have got his man after months of chasing the player.

The manager told the club's official website: "Sanchez Watt is a player we have monitored and admired for some time now and we are absolutely thrilled that a player of his ability is coming to Crawley."He had several offers to go to Championship and League One clubs but he likes the idea of playing for a club who are challenging for promotion and the fact that I tried on a previous occasion to sign the kid.
"He will get opportunities here between now and the end of the season and I think he can make a really big difference to what is already a very talented squad.
Evans was understandably buoyant after signing such a player, which now could give his side the impetus to push on at the top end of the table.
He added: "Signing players is all part of management and this time of the season is particularly busy but I cannot remember being as excited about a signing as this for some time which is a fantastic statement given the quality of player we already have in our squad.
"I must thank Arsene Wenger for agreeing to this loan transfer and of course [Arsenal legend] Liam Brady who I understand spoke so highly of us.
"At the start of this transfer window I said our signing targets would in the main be quality additions and this is a great start. I would hope that by early next week we have some further great news but at present it is work in progress."

Tottenham assistant Kevin Bond confirms Harry Redknapp will take charge of Watford FA Cup tie

The Spurs manager will be in the dugout at Vicarage Road after a week in court, with the White Hart Lane No.2 admitting the Champions League is the club's priority this season

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will be back in charge of his side for their FA Cup clash with Watford, assistant Kevin Bond has confirmed.

Bond has been in charge of first-team issues in Redknapp's absence, while the Spurs boss has been in court contesting tax evasion charges.

But Redknapp's assistant has indicated it has been business as usual for the club.
Bond said: "I was talking to him yesterday, he was keen to know our thoughts on Watford and how we are looking.
"We made preparations to come to the game and he was genuinely looking forward to it."
Redknapp and Bond take a 125-mile trip to work and the latter has said how he has missed the former's company in the car.
He continued: "He thrives on being at the training ground. He likes the environment, he enjoys it.
"He is always full of conversation, full of stories. Not driving up and down with him for the last few days has been a lonely old drive in the mornings."
Redknapp wasn't in the dugout for two weeks last November as he was having surgery to unblock arteries in his heart and Bond admitted that training has been 'no different' without him.
"He has been no different to how he has always been," he said.
"He appears, when I speak to him - and I would know - to be every bit as focused as he has been.
"We haven't felt we had to have a conversation with the players.
"Everyone is aware of the ongoing situation and everybody gets on with it.
"Harry wasn't here for a few days a few weeks back and really we are just carrying on without him.
"To a large degree the training is exactly the same, it's just that Harry is not there overseeing it all.
"The players all understand that, we all understand that and get on with it in the same way as if he was here."
Tottenham's main aim is to reach the Champions League again but they haven't ruled out the thought of playing at Wembley and hopes for a good cup run.
Bond added: "Champions League is our number one goal, but the FA Cup is hugely important to us.
"As a youngster when you played, you didn't dream about finishing in the top four so you could play in the Champions League, you all dreamed about playing at Wembley and lifting the cup.
"The players crave a cup final. They crave playing in the big games, the one-off games."

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer to enter Australian Open final

Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory in his semifinal men's singles match against Roger Federer at the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 26, 2012. (AFP Photo)

MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal once again proved Roger Federer's Grand Slam nemesis on Thursday, withstanding a withering opening from the Swiss great to reach the final of the Australian Open.

In Pics: Australian Open 

The Spaniard won 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to prolong the agony for his greatest rival, who has now lost eight times to the Spaniard in 10 Grand Slam meetings and has not beaten him in the majors since Wimbledon 2007.

The Swiss 16-time Grand Slam winner was left a weeping wreck when Nadal remorselessly ground him down in 2009's nail-biting five-set final in Melbourne but failed in his bid for revenge under the lights on Rod Laver Arena.

"For me it's a dream to be back in the final," said a smiling Nadal.

"It's a real honour to play against Roger, it was a fantastic match. It's fantastic to have one player in front of you who doesn't make mistakes, having a totally complete game."

Nadal, who has won 10 Grand Slams, now goes on to meet either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Britain's Andy Murray in Sunday's final.

Federer produced flawless tennis at the start of the match but his game unravelled when put under pressure by Nadal and he finished with 63 unforced errors.

Unleashing his full arsenal, four-time Australian Open champion Federer held serve to love and broke the Spaniard at his first opportunity with a devastating cross-court backhand with Nadal struggling to gain a foothold.

Nadal broke back but third seed Federer raised his game again after his mid-set wobble and he took the tie-break when Nadal went long.

The players swapped service breaks at the start of the second set but the turning point came when Nadal held off a Federer break point in the fifth game and then broke the Swiss in the very next game to move ahead 4-2.

The match was suspended for 10 minutes for Australia Day fireworks with Nadal leading 5-2 and when play resumed Federer badly lost his focus, losing 11 consecutive points on top of straight three points he lost before the break.

Nadal, 25, levelled the match at one set apiece, took the first game of set three to love and held three break points after two consecutive Federer double faults, only for the misfiring Swiss to claw himself out of the hole.

Federer, 30, battled hard to break Nadal in game seven of the third set but the Spaniard broke back immediately to level things up and Nadal went on to take the tie-break on his sixth set point.

A tense fourth set went with serve with Nadal looking mentally the stronger, continuing to chase down balls from seemingly impossible situations.

He saved a break point from Federer in the eighth game and broke the Swiss in the following game.

But the Spaniard still had to fight hard to serve out for victory, saving two Federer break points, including an astonishing retrieval onto the baseline which the Swiss then wafted wide.

Federer, seeking his first Grand Slam win in two years, had not dropped a set until Thursday's semifinal but Nadal, who now leads their overall series 18-9, once again proved he has the edge over Federer on the biggest stage.

The match was the 10th Grand Slam encounter between Nadal and Federer, putting them equal with Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe for most matches played at majors.