Gill Juniour receives father's jeers

Manchester United supporters’ fury at chief executive David Gill for favouring the Glazer family now includes his son Oliver.

The 19-year-old, a central midfielder has recently made the breakthrough into Manchester United's first team.
He has travelled with the team once on Champions League duty and was on the bench last weekend for Fulham's visit to Old Trafford.

There is a sense of growing concern at Old Trafford for its young recruit who was booed when his name was read on Sunday. The midfielder was also jeered and barracked at recent reserve matches and an interview for the club's in-house TV station.

The fans anger stem from the fact that Gill has constantly been defending the Glazer family despite being in front line of the opposition to the Americans when they took over five years ago.

Wenger looking for revenge

Arsene Wenger has his sights set on a revenge meeting with Manchester United or Chelsea in the Champions League Quarter-finals.

The Gunners booked their place in the last eight of the competition with a 5-0 demolition of Porto in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium, a result which wraps-up a 6-2 aggregate victory over the two-time winners.

And now Wenger, who has seen his side lose twice to Premier League title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United this term, insists he is now relishing the chance to gain revenge over either English club should they progress into the next phase on Wednesday night.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I have a funny feeling, maybe it's good for us to play an English team.

"We have not done well against Chelsea and not done well against Man Utd this year and it would be a good opportunity to show that we can do it against them."

A hat-trick from Nicklas Bendnter plus goals from Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue saw Arsenal clinically overturn their 2-1 first leg defeat to Porto on Tuesday night.

Danish frontman Bendtner struck twice in the space of 15 first half minutes before sealing his hat-trick from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game.

On the team's display, the Frenchman added: "It's never perfect but it was a very good performance, a strong performance.

"We had a very good first half, suffered a bit at the beginning of the second half, but after the goal of Nasri it made a big difference and from then it was easy.

"It was individual brilliance (from Nasri) but overall we had a solid team performance, we were serious, had good solidarity and, as we can play, a fluid game."

Champions League Tuesday Review

Arsenal romped past Porto at the Emirates while Bayern Munich edged past Fiorentian in a thriller in Italy.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner put his weekend horror show against Burnely behind him to fire his team into the last eight of the Champions League.

Bendtner, who was widely criticised for his performance on Saturday, opened the scoring for the Gunners in the tenth minute when a clash between Porto defender Fucile and keeper Helton allowed the Dane to slot the ball into an open goal.

Andrei Arshavin, who was lively all night long, set up the second goal when he raced up the left flank and squared the ball to Bendtner for a simple tap in.

Porto had their chances in the first half, most notable when a Gael Clichy error allowed striker Hulk to cut inside the box, but his shot was straight at Manuel Almunia.

The Portuguese side came out fired up in the second half with Hulk and Falco going close for the visitors. Arsenal looked shaky at the back but some individual brilliance from Samir Nasri put the tie beyond doubt.

The Frenchman collected the ball on the right just outside the box, swayed and weaved his way past three defenders before unleashing a fierce shot that went in off the far post.

Arsenal vs Porto Player Ratings

The visitors ran out of gas after Nasri's stunner and the Gunners ran riot. Arshavin collected the ball in his own half and ran past a couple of Porto players before releasing Emmanuel Eboue who rounded the keeper before coolly slotting the ball in.

Eboue later won a penalty which Bendtner duly converted for his hat-trick - a fitting riposte to his critics.

In Florence, a see-saw tie was settled by an Arjen Robben wonderstrike. Bayern Munich trailed in the 28th minute when Juan Vargas scored for the hosts.

Stevan Jevotic made it 2-0 on the night in the second half, but Mark Van Bommel's strike levelled the tie. However, Jovetic put the Viola up again with a header. The scoreline read 3-1 on the night and 4-3 for the tie in favour of the Italians.

There was more drama to come though. Arjen Robben got the ball on the left side of midfield, cut inside and smashed a spectacular long range shot that put the Germans ahead in the 65th minute on the away goals rule.

Fiortentina were flattened and never really threatened Bayern's goal after that. 4-4 was how the tie ended and Louis van Gaal's men went through by virtue of having scored more away goals.

Bendtner shows his cutting-edge

Nicklas Bendtner insisted Saturday's horror show was not on his mind as he struck a hat-trick in Arsenal's win over Porto.

This was the striker's first hat-trick for Arsenal.

The Dane was derided for a performance against Burnley on Saturday in which he missed a sackful of chances, but he made amends in style as Arsenal claimed a 6-2 aggregate win to book their quarter-final place.

Asked if Saturday had played on his mind, he told Sky Sports 2: "Not at all. Every time I play a game I put it behind me as soon as it's finished.

"Sometimes it's one of those days and today I put it right.

"I'm happy with my hat-trick but tomorrow we move on."

Bendtner, who was on the scoresheet after just 10 minutes, added: "It was good to score early but I don't know if that affected my game."

Arsenal also scored excellent goals through Samir Nasri and substitute Emmanuel Eboue to round off an impressive attacking performance.

"It will give us a lot of confidence," said Bendtner. "We want to win the Champions League. It's something we haven't done.

"We scored all our chances which is very positive."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was understated in his praise of the Dane.

"I hope it will not give him too much confidence," he said.

"It's good for him. He played well on Saturday but missed chances.

"Today he had less chances and scored more goals.

"I hope it gives him the desire to work even harder."

No more penalties for Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho will no longer be allowed to take penalties for AC Milan after missing his third spot kick of the season.

The demotion comes after the Brazilian missed his penalty against Atalanta over the weekend - bringing his tally up to three.

Apparently coach Leonardo has had enough. According to reports in the Italian publication La Repubblica - veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be assigned penalty taking duties moving forward.

This news caps a bad few days for 'Dinho - after he enjoyed a comeback into the spotlight on the back of some sizzling performances, most notably against Manchester United in the Champions League round-of-16 tie in February.

Brazil's national coach Dunga, however, refused to be impressed by the midfielder's dazzling return to form - leaving him out of his team to face Ireland in an international friendly on Wednesday.

The round of friendlies is supposed to be an important lead-up to the World Cup in June and speculation is rife that Ronaldinho might not make it to Dunga's final squad.

Jamie Carragher would have "no problem" moving to another club if Liverpool decide not to offer him a contract extension.

The 32-year-old defender will have a year remaining on his present deal when this season finishes, and there are no negotiations currently taking place about a renewal.

That could change in the summer, as Liverpool are keen to let Carragher focus on playing before looking at his future.

But Carragher, who has spent all of his career so far at Anfield, acknowledges there may come a time when he has to search for another club.

"The club will give me a new contract if they want to," he told the Sunday Times.

"If not it doesn't matter, I'll still play my best and if I have to move then I'll move, no problem. It wouldn't bother me."

Carragher famously quit international football in 2007 after becoming frustrated with limited opportunities in the England team, and stresses he is "not scared of making big decisions".

"It's a club thing," he said. "It's down to them. I'll keep playing and see where it takes me."

Only Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva have made more appearances than Carragher for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, suggesting the club still rely heavily on their vice-captain.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "There is no news about Carragher. We have spoken to him and he was very clear that at this moment he just wants to concentrate on doing his job.

"I think Jamie prefers the situation as it is. The information I have is that he is comfortable with how things are and that he wants to wait."

Wenger: Walcott will come good

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no doubts that Gunners forward Theo Walcott will come good for England.

Walcott, who turns 21 next month, has seen his progress this season hampered by injury.

However, after a return to the Arsenal team, Walcott was called up to the England squad for the friendly against Egypt, and started at Wembley on Wednesday night before being replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips after an ineffectual display.

Walcott - who smashed a famous hat-trick in the qualifier against Croatia at the start of last season - admits he cannot rely on past glories to make sure of his place in Fabio Capello's final 23-man party for South Africa.

Wenger, though, feels the former Southampton man - a shock inclusion in the last World Cup squad four years ago - is on the right track, despite being an easy target for critics.

"I believe for a while maybe people expected too much of Theo and now they are too hard with him," said the Arsenal manager.

"I believe Theo will be a great football player, he is very young, he will be 21 this year, he will have a great future.

"I believe in him because he has a fantastic attitude, he's an intelligent boy and he is highly motivated. These players always improve."

Former England winger Chris Waddle questioned Walcott's England credentials, claiming the youngster "doesn't understand the game".

Wenger, however, defender his player.

"Don't worry for him," the Arsenal boss said.

"I believe Theo has not only a football brain, but he has a brain - that means he will continue to develop at a very quick pace."

FA Cup Quarter-Finals Review

Holders Chelsea, Aston Villa and Portsmouth confirmed their spots in the semi-finals of this season's FA Cup.

On Sunday, goals from Frank Lampard and controversial captain John Terry gave Chelsea a 2-0 victory over Stoke as they booked a semi-final clash against Aston Villa.

Lampard had put the holders in front in the 35th minute when he fired a rising 20-yard shot into the net and Terry sealed victory 22 minutes from time with a firm header.

After two successive defeats, title hopefuls Carlo Ancelotti's side returned to top form and they were drawn with Villa in the last four after Martin O'Neill's men remained on course for a second Wembley final of the season.

Hat-trick hero John Carew inspired a second-half fightback as they came from 2-0 down to beat Reading 4-2.

The Royals had already knocked out Premier League sides Liverpool and Burnley and a third scalp appeared imminent after Shane Long marked his return from suspension with a two-goal blast during the opening 45 minutes.

Brian McDermott's side were the better team, with Jimmy Kebe in particular causing problems down the right flank and the Villa defence looking unusually nervy.

But Villa turned the tie on its head in dramatic fashion with three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half through Ashley Young and two from Carew.

Then, in injury time, Carew completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being brought down by Ivar Ingimarsson.

On Saturday, Portsmouth earned a trip to Wembley after Frederic Piquionne fired them to a 2-0 victory over Birmingham.

Pompey, saddled with debt and being pursued by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, will earn more than £600,000 in prize money and broadcasting fees for reaching the FA Cup semi-final but money was hardly on their minds as they celebrated victory against Alex McLeish's men.

Piquionne's goals brightened up a tie short on action until he struck in the 67th and 70th minutes, though Liam Ridgewell thought he had scored for the Blues late on only for the officials to deem his header hadn't crossed the line.

Before that, there was little to do for the two England goalkeepers on display, with David James looking to re-establish himself as Fabio Capello's first choice and Joe Hart tipped as a future number one.

Fulham and Tottenham must try again after their quarter-final at Craven Cottage ended goalless.

Heurelho Gomes was the busier of the keepers but, in a game of few clear-cut chances, neither manager could have much complaint about the 0-0 scoreline.

Zoltan Gera came closest to settling the tie at the first time of asking, but his close-range header was well saved by Gomes diving to his left.

The replay is at White Hart Lane on Wednesday March 24.

FA Cup Semi Final Draw

Aston Villa v Chelsea
Fulham/Tottenham v Portsmouth

Man United favourite to land Cole

Manchester United could swoop for Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer if his contract impasse is not resolved.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to take advantage from the well-publicised contract stalemate between Cole and Chelsea and sign Cole on a free - just as he had signed Michael Owen earlier this season.

It has been reported that Cole had wanted a pay raise and this has been the main stumbling block in him agreeing to sign a new deal with the Blues.

Cole has been struggling to make England's World Cup squad after a cruciate knee-ligament injury. He is now fit again but has failed to re-establish himself at Chelsea under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

And his contract talks have stalled, with Chelsea said to be unwilling to increase the midfielder's wages from £80,000-a-week to in excess of £100,000.

According to reports from England, there are also interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City, but it is believed Ferguson will be favourite to win the battle if Cole and Chelsea can't reach an agreement.

Report: Chelsea Chase Landon Donovan As Manchester United Eye Summer Swoop For Joe Cole

Mar 7, 2010 6:08:00 AM

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Manchester United are reportedly set to make a shock summer move for Chelsea's midfield maestro Joe Cole, with the Blues set to replace him with American midfielderLandon Donovan.

According to the Sunday People, the Premier Leaguechampions are in negotiations with the Blues over a move for Cole who is out of contract in the summer, and has seen recent contract negotiations at Stamford Bridge stall.

The tabloid claims Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to follow last summer’s free transfer swoop for Michael Owen with a similar move for the England international.

The United boss is believed to be an admirer of the 28-year-old and may finally get his man, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reportedly unwilling to sanction a new deal for Cole having watched him struggle to regain his best form after a long injury lay-off.

One man who could arrive to fill the void left by Cole is Los Angeles Galaxy’s Landon Donovan, who is currently enjoying a loan spell in the Premier League with Everton.

The People claims that Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has been impressed with the American’s displays on Merseyside and wants to begin talks over a possible transfer.

Everton manager Davud Moyes has already admitted he would like to extend Donovan’s Everton deal, although Galaxy’s head coach Bruce Arena has insisted the club are not interested and claimed Donovan will return stateside by March 15.

Barca's Toure looks to Valencia clash

Barcelona's Yaya Toure switched his attention to the clash with Valencia after his side dropped two points at Almeria.

The reigning champions were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos after twice trailing and also playing with a man less for the final half-hour following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's dismissal.

That draw was a setback for Barca, who subsequently lost top spot to arch rivals Real Madrid following their 3-2 win over Sevilla late last night, but Toure was keen not to dwell on it.

"It was a very difficult game, above all due to the good performance of our opponents. Now we need to work hard and prepare for next Sunday's game against Valencia, which is also very important," the powerhouse midfielder said.

"The draw isn't so bad, especially after the sending-off."

The match was blighted by some bizarre refereeing decisions from Carlos Clos Gomez.

Clos Gomez delayed the start of the match for almost a quarter of an hour as he was unhappy with Almeria's shirts, which showed a message of support for Chile following the recent earthquake and tsunami.

The official then harshly sent off Barca coach Pep Guardiola and Ibrahimovic, and incorrectly awarded a free-kick to the Catalan giants which led to their first equaliser.

Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said about the controversies: "I don't know what happened with the sendings-off, I didn't see them. I don't understand the problem with the shirts, especially if it is a message of solidarity."

Regarding the match, Valdes added: "We tried to fight until the end but it wasn't to be. It's a shame. These are important points which have slipped away, and it's important not to let too many escape due to how close the top two are."

Premier League Saturday Review

Arsenal and Manchester United both won their games against Burnley and Wolves to keep the heat on Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger's side took the lead in the 34th minute through Cesc Fabregas but Burnley levelled in the 50th minute when David Nugent pounced to make the most of some hesitancy in the home defence.

Arsenal grabbed a second 10 minutes later when England winger Theo Walcott took a pass from Nicklas Bendtner to put the Gunners ahead. Andrey Arshavin completed the scoring in added time to leave Burnley rooted just one place off the bottom.

Arsenal vs Burnley Player Ratings

Wolves vs Manchester United Player Ratings

In the afternoon's only other game, Bolton leapfrogged West Ham with a fine 2-1 success over their struggling rivals at Upton Park.

Bolton had not won on the road since last September but Owen Coyle's side were two ahead inside the first 16 minutes when goals from Kevin Davies and Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere stunned the home side.

West Ham tried to fightback but Alessandro Diamanti's 84th minute strike was too little too late for In the day's last game, Manchester United were made to work hard for their win over Wolves at the Molineux.

In fact, the hosts had the better of the chances in the first half and only poor finishing on their part let United off the hook. The second half saw much of the same and a draw seemed to the most likely result when a defensive error costs Wolves a goal and ulimately the match.

Antonio Valnecia sent in a skiddy ball to Nani at the edge of the box who crossed it in aimlessly. However, it fell to Wolves' Jody Craddock who could not control it and the ball bounced off his legs into the path of Paul Scholes.

The veteran midfielder finished calmly to bring up a his century of goals for the Red Devils.

Wolves had a marvellous opportunity to grab a point in extra time when substitue Sam Vokes found himself three yards from goal with the ball at his feet.

However, he snatched at the shot to send it blazing over Edwin Van der Sar and into the stands. Wolves were denied a famous point and United now stand alone at the top of the Premier League summit.Zola's side.

Fergie: Rooney a doubt for Milan game

Wayne Rooney could miss the second leg of Manchester United's Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night.

Rooney aggravated a knee injury after playing all but four minutes of England's friendly win over Egypt, and that kept him out of United's game against Wolves.

Now Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims it could also keep him out of their midweek European tie.

"It wasn't looking good from when he got back on Thursday - his knee was swollen," said Ferguson before the clash at Molineux.

"He's a doubt for Wednesday now, which is a bigger problem for us."

Ferguson left Rooney out of the Carling Cup final starting line-up last weekend, and was unhappy that he was not either rested or withdrawn for the national squad in midweek after being forced to play nearly an hour against Aston Villa.

However, Ferguson's annoyance was not directed at England coach Fabio Capello, but rather Rooney himself.

"I don't think he should have played," said Ferguson.

"It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can't say no.

"He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

"Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don't blame him at all

"I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn't he come off? I cant believe it."

With Michael Owen out for the season with a hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck out on loan at Preston and Federico Macheda only just returning from a lengthy spell out, Ferguson could be left with only Dimitar Berbatov and Mame Biram Diouf to take on Milan. United hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg.

Fergie: Rooney a doubt for Milan game

Wayne Rooney could miss the second leg of Manchester United's Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night.

Rooney aggravated a knee injury after playing all but four minutes of England's friendly win over Egypt, and that kept him out of United's game against Wolves.

Now Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims it could also keep him out of their midweek European tie.

"It wasn't looking good from when he got back on Thursday - his knee was swollen," said Ferguson before the clash at Molineux.

"He's a doubt for Wednesday now, which is a bigger problem for us."

Ferguson left Rooney out of the Carling Cup final starting line-up last weekend, and was unhappy that he was not either rested or withdrawn for the national squad in midweek after being forced to play nearly an hour against Aston Villa.

However, Ferguson's annoyance was not directed at England coach Fabio Capello, but rather Rooney himself.

"I don't think he should have played," said Ferguson.

"It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can't say no.

"He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

"Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don't blame him at all

"I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn't he come off? I cant believe it."

With Michael Owen out for the season with a hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck out on loan at Preston and Federico Macheda only just returning from a lengthy spell out, Ferguson could be left with only Dimitar Berbatov and Mame Biram Diouf to take on Milan. United hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg.

"Fabregas will stay with Arsenal"

Francis Cagigao, an Arsenal scout, believes that Cesc Fabregas will stay with the Gunners beyond this summer.

Cagigao recommended Fabregas to the north London club as part of his duties to scout out talent in Spain and Portugal, and was awed by the then 15-year-old midfield dynamo.

"All the fuss about Barcelona and Fabregas is simply an invention of the press, to engage in this type of speculation is absurd," he told the Daily Mail.

"Even when he was 15 I was captivated by his intelligence. He was mature which is hard to find in young players.

"It seems he has GPS in his head."

Fabregas has already gone on record to say that Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola was his childhood idol, and Cagigao believes Gunners boss Arsene Wenger operates in a similar fashion.

"I think the philosophies of Wenger and Guardiola are similar in shaping what they want on the field," he added.

Inter Milan eye Gerrard capture

Inter Milan will make a new bid for Liverpool's Steven Gerrard once Jose Mourinho extends his Inter contract.

According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, Mourinho has been an admirer of the England midfielder's qualities ever since the Portuguese took charge at Chelsea.

It has been reported that Inter president Massimo Moratti wants to extend Mourinho's contract from 2012 to 2013 and increase his wages to €13m per year.

Once Mourinho signs on the dotted line, he will be given funds to strengthen the squad.

First on the list will be Gerrard, who was linked with the Serie A club last summer.

Gerrard has always insisted he will stay at Anfield but recent poor results and the financial turmoil at Liverpool could force him out of the club.

International Friendlies Review

Spain served notice of their World Cup credentials with a 2-0 win in France in the pick of Wednesday evening's friendlies.

David Villa's cool finish, his 36th goal in 55 international games, was added to in first-half injury time by defender Sergio Ramos' deflected strike.

Ramos' Real Madrid club-mate Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal in Argentina's 1-0 win in Germany. The striker seized on a rush of blood from home keeper Rene Adler and rounded him to score, Juan Veron almost adding a second when he was narrowly off target with a 45-yard effort.

England came from behind to beat African Nations Cup champions Egypt 3-1. Mohamed Zidan's well-taken opener gave the visitors a deserved half-time advantage at Wembley.

But a brace from Peter Crouch, either side of fellow substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips' effort, earned England an ultimately comfortable win in their first match since John Terry was stripped of the captaincy.

Holland enjoyed a routine 2-0 win over the United States. Dirk Kuyt slotted home a penalty after Jonathan Bornstein pulled Wesley Sneijder's shirt and Klaas Jan Huntelaar added the second via a deflection off the unfortunate Bornstein.

Hull striker Jozy Altidore went closest for the States, who lost Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden to injury in the first half.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi's experimental line-up failed to deliver as the Azzurri were held to a goalless draw by Cameroon.

Lippi used the friendly in Monte Carlo to try out some of his fringe players and despite his team dominating the encounter, they were unable to find the finishing touch.

Uruguay came from behind to win 3-1 in Switzerland. Gokhan Inler's penalty put the hosts in front, but Diego Forlan levelled before Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani struck to earn victory.

Scott Brown earned Scotland a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in Craig Levein's first game as manager, but there was less positive news for Wales and Northern Ireland.

Bolton striker Johan Elmander earned Sweden a 1-0 win in a low-key clash in Swansea, while Ervin Skela's superb free-kick saw Albania beat Nigel Worthington's side, for whom defender Stephen Craigan twice hit the woodwork, by the same scoreline.

Austria saw off Denmark 2-1 thanks to Roman Wallner's winner, Nicklas Bendtner's well-taken goal having earlier cancelled out Franz Schiemer's fierce drive.

Bosnia-Herzegovina enjoyed a 2-1 win over Ghana thanks to goals from Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibisevic, Sulley Muntari responding for the African side.

Portugal won 2-0 against a China side who acquitted themselves well. Hugo Almeida scored the first-half opener but the hosts had to wait until the fourth minute of injury time for Liedson's clincher.

Russia were held 1-1 in Hungary, while Croatia won 1-0 in Belgium thanks to a goal from Niko Kranjcar.

Guirane Ndaw and Mamadou Niang earned Senegal an impressive 2-0 win in Greece, while Turkey beat Honduras by the same scoreline thanks to goals from Emre Gungor and Hamit Altintop.

Lee Dong-gook's fine volley and Kwak Tae-hwi's late header saw South Korea to a 2-0 victory over managerless Ivory Coast in an international friendly at Loftus Road in London.

Jakub Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski earned Poland a 2-0 win over Bulgaria, while Morten Moldskred scored the only goal as Norway won 1-0 in Slovakia.

Slovenia routed Qatar 4-1 thanks to Bostjan Cesar, Milivoje Novakovic, Andraz Kirm, Bojan Jokic, while Yossi Benayoun and Elyaniv Barda earned Israel a creditable 2-0 win in Romania.

Elsewhere, Belarus won 3-1 in Armenia, FYR Macedonia, Georgia and Azerbaijan enjoyed 2-1 wins over Montenegro, Estonia and Luxembourg respectively, Finland came from behind to win by the same scoreline in Malta, Moldova beat Kazakhstan with a solitary goal and Cyprus and Iceland shared a 0-0 draw.

Selected Match Reports

England 3-1 Egypt

France 0-2 Spain

Italy 0-0 Cameroon

Germany 0-1 Argentina

Holland 2-1 United States

Manchester United takeover plan confirmed

The 'Red Knights' have confirmed their intention to try to oust the owners of Manchester United.

Sickened by the huge amount of debt the Glazers' took on to complete their controversial takeover in 2005, the Red Knights are intent on launching a takeover bid.

Described as a group of "high net worth individuals", the Red Knights include Jim O'Neill, chief economist at Goldman Sachs and a one-time friend of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Although plans are at a very early stage and no contact has been made with the Glazers, who have always stressed they are not interested in a deal, a meeting in London yesterday between the key individuals involved in the Red Knights project went through various scenarios and will now look at formulating a plan to raise in excess of £1billion.

"We can confirm that a group of high net worth individuals, who support Manchester United (known as the "Red Knights"), met in London yesterday," a statement released on behalf of the Red Knights read.

"This group is supportive of current management but are looking at the feasibility of putting together a proposal to be put to the Glazer family regarding the ownership of Manchester United.

"These discussions are in early stages and no contact has been made with the Glazer family."

Leading football deal-maker Keith Harris is also involved and has previously suggested some kind of boycott may be required to reduce United's current profits and wreck the Glazers' present business plan.

There is certainly a groundswell of opinion against the Glazers and the current "Green and Gold campaign" so in evidence at Wembley on Sunday has proved incredibly popular.

As a starting measure, the Red Knights are urging supporters to join the Manchester United Supporters Trust, which has been vehemently opposed to the Glazers from day one.

"For such a proposal to be viable it would require the involvement and support of Manchester United supporters worldwide," the statement continued.

"The Red Knights have been liaising with the Manchester United Supporters Trust and their representatives attended yesterday's meeting.

"As a first step, the Red Knights want supporters to demonstrate their commitment by joining the free online membership of the Supporters Trust, www.joinmust.org.

"Any new ownership model would aim not only to put the club on a sound financial footing, but would also aim to put the supporters at the heart of everything the club does."

Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of MUST, welcomed Tueday's news.

He said: "I can confirm that we were present at the 'secret' meeting of the Red Knight Group yesterday and have been involved in discussions for some time.

"This development is hugely welcome as there is a genuine desire to see a change of ownership at Manchester United.

"Initially the Red Knight Group has effectively set a challenge to Manchester United supporters to demonstrate they wish to see an alternative ownership proposal developed.

"In the first instance supporters are being asked to do this simply by joining the free online membership of the Supporters Trust (MUST) and swelling its ranks to an initial target of at least 100,000.

"It is also essential for a majority of two key groups, the Old Trafford season ticket holders and those with executive facilities, to show their appetite for participation by joining the MUST online campaign."